A method of extracting water-soluble minerals from an arid location includes identifying or establishing a channel of flowing water at the arid location, and installing a mat containing seeds, and/or seedlings, and a super absorbent polymer (SAP). A perforated, transparent cover sheet is placed on or above the mat. Water is applied to the SAP, such that both edible and dam-constructing vegetation grows and matures from the mat. Beavers are introduced into the arid location, which eat the edible vegetation and use the dam-constructing vegetation to construct a dam that blocks the channel, thereby flooding a region proximate the channel. After the flood water has dissolved the minerals in the flooded region, it is drained and processed to extract the minerals. The drained water can be remotely processed, or directed to an evaporation pond, where the minerals remain while the water is evaporated, recaptured, and reintroduced into the channel.

A method of extracting water-soluble minerals from an arid location includes identifying or establishing a channel of flowing water at the arid location, and installing a mat containing seeds, and/or seedlings, and a super absorbent polymer (SAP). A perforated, transparent cover sheet is placed on or above the mat. Water is applied to the SAP, such that both edible and dam-constructing vegetation grows and matures from the mat. Beavers are introduced into the arid location, which eat the edible vegetation and use the dam-constructing vegetation to construct a dam that blocks the channel, thereby flooding a region proximate the channel. After the flood water has dissolved the minerals in the flooded region, it is drained and processed to extract the minerals. The drained water can be remotely processed, or directed to an evaporation pond, where the minerals remain while the water is evaporated, recaptured, and reintroduced into the channel.

A plant protection device having a shade configured to limit environmental exposure and a flexible pole attached to the shade. The flexible pole terminates in a tip configured for insertion into soil. The flexible pole is made of a material that allows the pole to be bent and retain its shape, enabling customizable positioning of the. The device may have a base with a flange and holes to accommodate multiple flexible poles.

A method for planting N. tangutorum in summer, includes: seedling cultivation: customizing a square seedling plot on a flat surface, mixing sandy soil, loam, and farmyard manure in a ratio of 3:6:1, sowing N. tangutorum seeds in non-woven bags at a depth of 2 centimeters, and maintaining a humidity; seedling lifting: gently removing, when seedlings grow to a height of 10-20 centimeters, the seedlings along with the non-woven bags to ensure the integrity; transportation: placing the seedlings into plastic transport boxes and trimming stems to ensure tight arrangement; transplanting: digging planting holes, placing nutrient bowl seedlings into the planting holes respectively, and back filling and firming down soil; planting: planting with a row spacing of 3 meters and a plant spacing of 1 meter, and then watering thoroughly for settling-in root; shade net installation: installing a shade net on each N. tangutorum seedling; and irrigation: performing watering every three days.

A method for planting N. tangutorum in summer, includes: seedling cultivation: customizing a square seedling plot on a flat surface, mixing sandy soil, loam, and farmyard manure in a ratio of 3:6:1, sowing N. tangutorum seeds in non-woven bags at a depth of 2 centimeters, and maintaining a humidity; seedling lifting: gently removing, when seedlings grow to a height of 10-20 centimeters, the seedlings along with the non-woven bags to ensure the integrity; transportation: placing the seedlings into plastic transport boxes and trimming stems to ensure tight arrangement; transplanting: digging planting holes, placing nutrient bowl seedlings into the planting holes respectively, and back filling and firming down soil; planting: planting with a row spacing of 3 meters and a plant spacing of 1 meter, and then watering thoroughly for settling-in root; shade net installation: installing a shade net on each N. tangutorum seedling; and irrigation: performing watering every three days.