Desert encroachment can best be controlled by afforestation. Afforestation is the process of planting trees in areas where there were no trees before. Trees help to anchor soil in place and prevent soil erosion caused by wind and water. Additionally, trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which can help to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Erecting barriers can help to slow down the movement of sand dunes, but it is not a long-term solution as barriers can eventually become buried by sand. Slopewise cultivation is not effective in areas where there is little rainfall and water is scarce, which is often the case in desert areas. Over-grazing, which is the practice of allowing too many animals to graze on a particular piece of land, can lead to soil degradation and can actually contribute to desertification.