I am in the beginning stages of a new project using remotely sensed data and field studies to explore the consequences of large-scale afforestation projects in northern China as a method to combat desertification. This research compares local, regional and ecosystem-level consequences of large-scale tree planting, compared to other succession-based methods, such as straw checkerboards and grazing exclusion. With my colleagues at the Naiman Desertification Research Station in Inner Mongolia, we will be examining the impacts of these methods on vegetation cover, primary productivity, soil moisture and carbon sequestration.