The only county in China without trees: Why can't we plant any trees?

Forests are the lungs of the earth and the source of life, and lush trees are regarded as a symbol of a good ecological environment. Human beings cannot live without the natural environment. With the deterioration of the natural environment, human beings began to realize the importance of protecting the environment. As one of the most important themes in the new era, environmental protection has appeared in important international conferences many times. From afforestation to low-carbon travel, human efforts in environmental protection are aimed at protecting the living environment. Alibaba's ANT FOREST project just caters to the public's concern for environmental protection. We can accumulate energy through low-carbon behavior. After accumulating a certain amount of energy, ANT FOREST will plant a real tree for users in desert areas. Alibaba will also recruit some volunteers to plant trees in desert areas.

Generally speaking, it is relatively simple to plant a tree in a place with abundant rain and good natural environment, but it is just the opposite in an excessively dry area. People who have never planted trees in the desert will never understand the hardships. Trees, a seemingly strong plant, can only give up hope for life in the face of harsh natural environment. There is such a place in China. Although there is plenty of rain, there has been no tree for thousands of years. It is called the only county in China without trees. Why is this happening? The county where trees can't be planted is Naqu County, which is located in the northwest of Xizang Autonomous Region. This county is vast and sparsely populated, just at the junction of the three mountains. Naqu county has endless grasslands and fertile soil, but it is really surprising that no tree can grow in such a place with good natural conditions.

In order to find out why a tree can't grow in Naqu County for thousands of years, experts from China made an all-round investigation on the soil, climate, rainfall, water source and pollution in Naqu County. First of all, the human impact is relatively small, because the problem of not planting trees not only exists in modern times with serious pollution, but even in ancient times without a trace of industrial pollution, no trees can survive in Naqu County. The only county in China without trees: not a tree has been planted for thousands of years. Why? Experts found that there are three main reasons why trees can't be planted in Naqu County.

The first reason is the problem of soil and temperature. The vast land in Naqu County is mostly thick frozen soil. Tropical and subtropical plants can't survive in frozen soil, and their roots can't withstand such low soil temperature. Moreover, the frozen soil layer is thick and hard, and it is difficult to grow plants. There are few species of plants in the cold zone that can adapt to low temperature, and they can barely survive in frozen soil, but they can't adapt to abundant rainfall.

Even where there is no frozen soil cover, the temperature in Naqu County is very low because of its high altitude. According to the statistics of the Meteorological Bureau, the annual average temperature in Naqu County, Tibet is as low as -2. 1 degree, and as low as -30 to -40 degrees like Harbin in the northeast in the coldest time. In such a harsh temperature environment, trees are easily frozen in the bud stage, and the growth rate of trees will become very slow in the cold environment, especially when they are soaked in rain for a long time, and trees can hardly survive.

The second reason is too much rainfall. Generally speaking, adequate rainfall is beneficial to the growth of trees. The reason why the tropical rain forest in the Amazon basin grows so luxuriantly depends largely on the abundant rainfall in this basin. For Naqu County, Tibet, there are about 1/3 windy days here, and the sunshine time is only about three months. Excessive rainfall will only lead to the extinction of trees. Trees without sunshine will rot under the nourishment of rain, let alone survive. Even the buds of trees may be damaged by too much rain. Some plants can adapt to low temperature or even frozen soil, but cold and humid places are extremely harsh growth environments for trees. In this environment, almost only grass that is not afraid of cold and wind and rain can grow freely, so Naqu County has a vast grassland.

Many people think that the place where the grass grows densely is very suitable for the growth of plants, but it is not. Grass is more vital than most plants. Moreover, their adaptability is very strong, as long as they are not in arid areas with serious water shortage, grass can basically survive. Even in a desert with a recognized harsh natural environment, weeds can be seen occasionally. But trees are different. The towering trees have strong vitality, but the saplings and young trees need careful protection. These fragile little things have higher requirements for the natural environment. Experts in our country have also tried to artificially create an environment for young trees to grow in Naqu County, and then transplant them outside after the trees develop stably. Even so, the survival rate is extremely low. Without human care, there will be fewer and fewer curved trees until they die.

In Naqu County, the third reason why trees can't grow is high altitude and thin air. Trees also need to absorb oxygen during their growth. During the day, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis. When photosynthesis cannot be carried out at night, organisms also need to absorb nutrients to maintain their own growth. Plants also need to breathe, and Naqu county in Tibet not only has less light time, which affects the photosynthesis of trees, but also has thin air, so trees can't get the oxygen they need for their own growth, and it is difficult to survive.

Conclusion Generally speaking, the reason why a tree can't be planted in Naqu County, Tibet is the result of various natural environment influences. Although human beings wantonly cut down, emit waste gas and occupy the living space of natural plants and animals, which has caused a huge burden to the global environment, it is not because of human factors that a tree has been planted in Naqu County for thousands of years, but because of human efforts and the development of scientific and technological level that the natural environment in Naqu County can finally be improved. If plant experts can come up with better ways to protect the trees on that curve, or cultivate plants that are more suitable for harsh ecological environment, Naqu County can also see trees grow sturdily one day. Humans have never been interested in taking from nature. Now it is time to repay nature with their own skills and wisdom and improve the natural environment, which is also for their own survival and development.