INSERT TABLE 4 HERE
The impact/benefit for most of the mitigation programmes has not yet been evaluated, limiting further improvement of the programmes. Besides, current mitigation measures (of desertification) are still facing up-hill challenges. That includes the tough questions of how to concurrently take account of existing desertification control and potential future problems relevant to global Climate Change that is likely to result in exacerbated aridification, thus depleted groundwater supplies (Amiraslani and Dragovich, 2011, Park et al., 2018, Reynolds et al., 2007, Hughes et al., 2020). Additionally, it should be aware that desertification processes are complicated, any single methods or single approaches may be insufficient for desertification control, and a comprehensive and long-term rehabilitation system should be encouraged to implement, legislate, enact and enforce (Zhang and Huisingh, 2018). The BRI countries should carry out in-depth collaborations to combat desertification.
In fact, a trans-national or cross-boundary cooperation framework established among the BRI countries to control desertification on 10 September 2017. The framework established on the sidelines of the thirteenth session of the “Conference of the Parties ” (COP13) to the “United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification ” (UNCCD). That aims to help members cooperate on financing, information sharing, training, and learn from each other via example projects (Xinhua News Agency, 2017). Desertification has been largely mitigated and controlled in large-spatial geographical areas via the implementation of multiple large-scaled initiatives and Regional Programs in China (Zhang and Huisingh, 2018; Wang et al., 2013; Tao, 2014). These successful experiences are obliging to control desertification for the BRI regions (Zhang and Huisingh, 2018, Feng et al., 2019, You et al., 2019, Lyu et al., 2020). Here, we encourage China and all BRI-involved countries (located in dryness areas) to take this opportunity and further collaborate closely with the UNCCD, in prior to implement future cross-boundary transnational policies and practices combating drought impacts, improving water resource management, and halting deforestation; to mitigate and prevent further desertification.

5.2 Desertification evaluation

In the BRI countries, methods employed for desertification evaluation include quantitative research approaches (e.g. via mathematical models) (e.g. Sepehr et al., 2007, Zehtabian et al., 2005, Miao et al., 2015), indirect detection (Zhang and Huisingh, 2018, Erian et al., 2011, Dragan et al., 2005, Turkes et al., 2020), direct observation and biophysical measurements (e.g. measuring the tree and vegetation growth) (e.g. Li et al., 2000, Su et al., 2010, Guo et al., 2014) (Table 5).