China Took Millions of Fish Into the Desert and Left Them for a Year, The Result Was Incredible

Summary

The Shenxian Weor Autonomous Region, located in the remote northwest of China, has turned the arid Taklamakan Desert into a thriving aquaculture hub. Despite harsh environmental conditions, innovative farming methods have allowed the region to farm various seafood like fish, shrimp, and even pearls in saline waters. The project, backed by advanced technology and weather forecasting, has transformed the economy, providing jobs and contributing to self-sufficiency in seafood production. Additionally, experiments in desert agriculture, including rice farming on saline soils, show how China is turning challenging environments into profitable industries, despite the desert’s unpredictable nature.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Taklamakan Desert is located in a remote part of China, with a moderately continental climate characterized by frequent droughts and low rainfall.
• 🌦️ Average annual precipitation in the desert is less than 4 inches, while the evaporation rate is significantly higher, around 118 inches annually.
• 🌡️ The recent floods in the Taklamakan Desert were caused by a combination of glacier meltwater and runoff from snow, triggered by prolonged high temperatures and heavy rainfall.
• 🌞 During the floods, temperatures in southern Xinjiang reached 95°F and in some areas exceeded 104°F, accelerating glacier and snow melt.
• 🌊 The increased water flow from melting glaciers and snow led to elevated water levels in the Tarim River Basin, causing some tributaries to exceed warning levels and resulting in floods.
• 📅 The Taklamakan Desert has experienced similar floods in previous years, with significant flood events occurring in July 2021 and the summer of 2022, which damaged infrastructure and led to breaches in dams.
• 💦 Despite the frequency of flooding, the desert does not benefit from these floods in terms of soil fertility, as the water quickly evaporates or is absorbed by the sandy soil, which cannot hold water well.
• 🏜️ The desert's sand-based soil struggles to retain moisture, unlike clay soil, which makes it difficult for the desert to maintain water or become fertile.
• ❄️ Most of the water causing the floods comes from melting glaciers, meaning that once the glaciers are gone, the water will no longer flow into the desert, returning it to its dry state.
• 🌾 Attempts to change the desert's environment through flooding or rainfall are not viable due to the high evaporation rates and the unsuitability of the soil for retaining water.
• 🐟 Despite the challenges, one potential agricultural solution for the desert could be growing rice and fish, which is one of the few options available given the conditions.

Q & A

What is the location of the Shenxang Weor Autonomous Region, and why is it significant?

The Shenxang Weor Autonomous Region is located in the northwest of China, bordering Mongolia and Kazakhstan. It is the eighth largest region in the world, spanning over 618,000 square miles. Despite its size, only about 9.7% of its land is suitable for living due to harsh environmental conditions such as dry meadows, deserts, and mountain ranges.

What is the main environmental challenge in the region, and how does it affect local life?

The region faces extreme dryness, with the Taklamakan Desert being one of the driest areas. Frequent sandstorms, low rainfall, and high evaporation rates make it a difficult environment for farming and living. Additionally, the area is thousands of miles away from the nearest sea, creating logistical challenges for food production.

How did China manage to introduce fish farming in the desert, and what species were involved?

China introduced aquaculture by releasing millions of fish, crabs, and other marine species into specially designed ponds in the Taklamakan Desert. The species involved included gold silk seabream, grouper, mudskippers, and other seafish fry. Despite the desert's harsh conditions, these fish adapted quickly and thrived.

What role did meteorological services play in the success of the fish farming project?

The district's meteorological services played a key role by providing advanced weather forecasts, helping to predict sandstorms, heatwaves, and other extreme conditions. This allowed farmers to take protective measures and ensure the survival of the fish. The meteorological team also helped determine the best time to transport the fish fry.

How did researchers overcome the challenge of farming fish in saline and alkaline water?

Researchers discovered trace elements like calcium, magnesium, and potassium that could modify the saline and alkaline water, transforming it into a suitable environment for sea fish farming. These findings allowed the creation of circulation systems that made the desert's water resemble ocean water, leading to successful fish farming.

What economic goals does China have for the Shenxang region's aquaculture industry?

China aims to turn the arid Shenxang region into a major aquaculture hub, producing seafood for local consumption and export. The government has been encouraging private investments in aquaculture since 2017, with plans to make Shenxang a key producer of fish and seafood. In 2023, the region produced $530 million worth of seafood, with forecasts predicting nearly $3 billion by 2025.

How has fish farming in the desert improved the local economy?

Fish farming has created jobs and boosted local incomes. For example, the average income of fishermen in Shenxang was higher than that of farmers. Additionally, the aquaculture industry has expanded rapidly, with millions of fish, shrimp, and crabs being farmed, generating significant economic activity in the region.

What challenges do fish and seafood farming operations face in the region, and how are they addressed?

The main challenges include extreme weather conditions like sandstorms, high temperatures, and water salinity. These challenges are mitigated through advanced weather forecasting, temperature control systems, and research into water treatment methods. Specialized farming technologies, like smart water management systems, have also been developed to maintain optimal conditions for fish growth.

What role does pearl farming play in the region's aquaculture industry?

Pearl farming has become one of the newest achievements in Shenxang’s aquaculture industry. In 2023, the region started farming 2 million pearl oysters, with plans to sell the first pearls in 2025. The desert's temperature fluctuations and plenty of sunlight create ideal conditions for farming pearls, which adds another layer of economic value to the region.

How has flooding in the Taklamakan Desert affected the region, and can it be seen as a positive development?

Flooding in the Taklamakan Desert, caused by glacier meltwater and snow runoff, has occurred several times in recent years. While floods can temporarily wet parts of the desert, they do not have a lasting positive effect, as the soil's sandy texture and high evaporation rates make it difficult for water to be retained. Therefore, floodwaters do not significantly improve the desert’s fertility.