The Impact of Extreme Drought Events Caused by Climate Change on the Productivity of Desert Ecosystems in China and Egypt

: Desert ecosystems in China and Egypt—two regions increasingly impacted by climate extremes—are among the most vulnerable to the effects of prolonged drought. This review synthesizes current understanding of how extreme drought events, exacerbated by global climate change, disrupt the overall productivity of desert ecosystems in both countries—altering vegetation dynamics, soil microbial activity, nutrient cycling, and the balance of carbon and energy flows that sustain ecosystem function. It addresses key questions including how droughts alter vegetation dynamics and species composition, and how these changes affect long-term ecosystem function in Chinese and Egyptian deserts. Findings reveal that in both countries, prolonged water deficits reduce plant growth and overall ecosystem productivity, shift species dominance, and disrupt photosynthesis, leading to biodiversity loss and weakened ecosystem resilience. Soil quality and productivity declines as microbial biomass and enzyme activity are suppressed, accelerating nutrient depletion and land degradation. In both the Gobi and Taklamakan deserts of China and the Sahara and Sinai deserts of Egypt, carbon sequestration is significantly diminished, with soils increasingly acting as carbon sources. Case studies highlight distinct regional vulnerabilities shaped by climatic, ecological, and land-use differences. The review underscores the urgent need for country-specific and cross-border strategies—including drought-resilient vegetation restoration, water-efficient technologies, sustainable land-use practices, and international scientific collaboration—to restore productivity, enhance ecosystem resilience and secure ecosystem services critical for local communities in both China and Egypt.