What is brown biotechnology?
Brown biotechnology is a branch of biotechnology focused on arid and desert regions. It applies science and technology to make use of and improve dry lands, poor soils, and areas with limited water resources. The main goal of this field is to introduce highly resilient species and crops into these harsh environments, increasing local flora and biodiversity.
In other words, brown biotechnology aims to help life thrive in the desert by using seeds, organisms, and techniques adapted to survive with minimal water and under extreme conditions. These tools can even help reduce hunger in desert regions, improving food security where cultivation was once nearly impossible.
World map showing arid and semi-arid regions classified by UNEP 2023
What does brown biotechnology involve?
Within the color-based classification of biotechnology (red for health, green for agriculture, white for industry, blue for marine environments, grey for environmental protection, etc.), brown biotechnology is one of the most recent to be defined, focusing specifically on arid environments. For this reason, it’s sometimes called desert biotechnology.
Brown biotechnology originates from green biotechnology but is specialized in dry ecosystems. It’s called “brown” because that’s the characteristic color of deserts and arid lands. Essentially, it focuses on developing and applying technologies for arid regions, for instance, creating improved plant seeds that can grow in desert soils, beneficial microorganisms that regenerate poor land, or agricultural methods that maximize the use of limited water.
An essential aspect of brown biotechnology is the respect and conservation of native desert biodiversity. Many arid regions have unique species adapted to such conditions. This field seeks to take advantage of these adaptations sustainably, for example, by using native drought-resistant plants in reforestation projects or studying genes from resilient organisms to apply them to crops. In short, brown biotechnology combines knowledge from genetics, agronomy, and ecology to transform arid soils into productive land while maintaining the natural balance of the ecosystem.
Brown biotechnology and desertification
Desertification is the process by which fertile soil degrades and turns into desert. It occurs due to a combination of climate change (less rainfall, higher temperatures) and unsustainable human activities (deforestation, intensive farming, overgrazing, and water overexploitation). This problem affects many regions around the world. It is estimated that around 40% of the Earth’s surface is vulnerable to desertification, and over two billion people live in areas at risk. In Spain, for instance, southeastern regions such as Murcia and Almería are already experiencing desertification due to low rainfall and the overuse of aquifers and soils. When land becomes desertified, it loses vegetation, agricultural capacity, and even wildlife, leading to severe socioeconomic consequences such as hunger, migration, and poverty.
In this context, brown biotechnology emerges as a powerful ally against desertification. Its applications can help restore degraded soils or make productive use of already arid areas, preventing further degradation. For example, developing drought-tolerant crops allows food production in dry lands, easing the pressure on fertile soils. It also includes techniques to stop desert expansion, such as stabilizing sand dunes using microorganisms or replanting semi-arid zones with adapted species. (The African Union, for example, promotes the Great Green Wall initiative, a vegetation belt across the Sahel designed to stop the Sahara’s advance using native drought-resistant plants). The idea is that technology can slow down and even reverse soil degradation, allowing productive ecosystems to persist even in extremely dry climates.
What are the main applications of brown biotechnology?
Brown biotechnology translates into practical solutions for agriculture and environmental management in arid areas. One of its key focuses is the development of improved crops that can grow with very little water. Through traditional breeding and modern biotechnology (such as genetic engineering or gene editing), scientists have created plant varieties resistant to drought and salinity. These plants can survive in extremely dry or even saline soils (common in oases or areas with poor-quality irrigation water) while maintaining good yields. A clear example includes desert-adapted cereals and legumes, such as millet, sorghum, or chickpeas, which can produce harvests in regions with minimal rainfall.
Beyond drought-resistant seeds, brown biotechnology also includes other technologies adapted to dry environments. For instance, it promotes the use of biofertilizers, beneficial microorganisms like bacteria and fungi that help plants absorb nutrients, improving soil fertility without relying heavily on chemical fertilizers. Natural biopesticides are also being developed to protect crops in dry areas using biological compounds that do not harm the environment.
Because water is the scarcest resource in these regions, research also focuses on crops that make the most efficient use of every drop. Some projects explore smart irrigation systems that combine sensors with soil microorganisms to optimize plant hydration. Livestock farming in dry areas can also benefit from brown biotechnology, for example by developing drought-tolerant forage crops or vaccines and treatments for animal diseases common in arid climates.
Another important application is the restoration of degraded soils. In semi-desert regions where little vegetation remains, resistant pioneer species (such as native shrubs or grasses) can be introduced to initiate ecological recovery. Biotechnology supports this process by identifying which species survive best and by developing ways to improve their establishment, for instance by coating seeds with protective bacteria. All these tools share a common goal: to make agriculture viable in arid lands, help local populations sustain themselves with their own resources, and protect the ecosystem at the same time
Resistant organisms in arid environments
Nature serves as a source of inspiration for brown biotechnology. In deserts and steppes, there are resilient organisms capable of surviving under extreme conditions. Many desert plants, known as xerophytes, have developed remarkable adaptations: very deep roots that reach underground water, small or spine-like leaves that minimize evaporation, thick tissues that store water (as in cacti and succulents), or seeds that remain dormant for long periods until rain awakens them. There are also halophytic plants, those tolerant to salt, that grow in saline soils where most others cannot. All these traits are of great interest to scientists because understanding their genetic and physiological mechanisms can help transfer these abilities to useful crops.
Microorganisms also play a crucial role. In arid soils, there are extremophile bacteria and fungi that survive with minimal moisture and high temperatures. Some form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, such as mycorrhizae and rhizobia, helping plants absorb nutrients and water in harsh environments. Others, like certain cyanobacteria, create a biological crust over desert soil that protects it from erosion and adds organic matter. Brown biotechnology makes use of these resistant organisms, either by applying them directly (for example, inoculating beneficial bacteria into arid farmland to improve soil) or by extracting valuable compounds and genes from them. A gene from a heat or drought-tolerant plant, for instance, can be inserted into a crop to make it more resilient.
In summary, native organisms from arid regions teach us how to survive in extreme environments. Brown biotechnology learns from them and applies that knowledge to design biological solutions, from creating a tomato plant that can endure a dry summer to using bacteria that fix nitrogen in nearly barren soil. Thanks to these resilient organisms, it is possible to innovate in agriculture while maintaining harmony with desert ecosystems, following nature’s own strategies.
Examples of brown biotechnology
Below are some notable examples of what brown biotechnology has achieved or proposes in practice:
- Bacteria that stop the advance of dunes: Researcher Magnus Larsson proposed using the bacterium Bacillus pasteurii (now known as Sporosarcina pasteurii) to solidify desert sand. This microorganism produces calcium carbonate, acting as a natural cement that binds sand grains together. By injecting it into moving dunes, it could be possible to slow their movement and create biological barriers several kilometers long. Projects like this aim to build natural walls that prevent the expansion of deserts such as the Sahara while generating stable ground for long-term vegetation growth.
- Improved food crops for desert regions: Over the past decades, hundreds of new varieties of essential crops have been developed to withstand dry climates. Examples include chickpeas, millet, and sorghum that can tolerate drought and high temperatures without losing yield. These crops are vital for food security in arid regions of Africa and Asia. A remarkable case is the WEMA program (Water Efficient Maize for Africa), which has produced drought-tolerant maize for African farmers. Thanks to such innovations, communities that once saw their harvests fail due to lack of rain can now farm more reliably.
- Biofertilizers and soil restoration: In Mexico and other countries, researchers are studying the use of native microorganisms from arid zones as biological fertilizers. Some desert bacteria stimulate plant growth, fix nitrogen from the air into the soil, and help retain moisture. Introducing them into agricultural fields naturally improves soil fertility and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. Similarly, ecological restoration projects use mycorrhizal fungi to reintroduce vegetation in degraded areas, increasing the chances of successful ecosystem recovery in dry environments.
- Reforestation with resistant species: In Africa’s Sahel region, the Great Green Wall initiative aims to plant a continuous belt of trees and vegetation along the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. Although primarily an ecological project, it relies on biotechnological knowledge to select tree and shrub species highly resistant to drought (such as native acacia varieties) and to improve their survival through nurseries and seed treatments. By creating this green barrier stretching thousands of kilometers, the initiative seeks to stop the desert’s advance and restore degraded land, demonstrating how technology and nature can work together against desertification
Aerial view of the Great Green Wall in the Sahel, Africa
Research and universities in brown biotechnology
Given the importance of combating desertification and improving productivity in dry regions, many institutions and universities are actively researching in this field. In Spain, for instance, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) has several centers dedicated to studying arid and semi-arid ecosystems. Notable examples include the Experimental Station of Arid Zones in Almería and the Center for Desertification Research (CIDE) in Valencia, where scientists study desert ecology, biodiversity conservation, and soil recovery strategies. These institutions collaborate with universities and farmers to bring scientific knowledge from the lab to real-world applications.
At an international level, countries with large arid areas lead brown biotechnology research. In Latin America, nations such as Mexico and Chile have established specialized research centers to address their own challenges related to drought and desertification. In Israel, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is widely recognized for its advances in desert agriculture, developing water-efficient crops and precision irrigation techniques suited for the Negev desert.
In the United States, universities such as the University of Arizona and institutions like the Desert Research Institute study the sustainable management of drylands, combining biotechnology with innovations in water use and solar energy adapted to remote regions. International organizations also play a crucial role. The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and other groups within the CGIAR network continuously develop new drought-resistant crop varieties and share knowledge to support communities living in desert areas around the world.
Interest in brown biotechnology continues to grow as climate change intensifies. Universities in countries frequently affected by drought (such as those in North Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and India) are increasingly adding specialized programs in this field. More and more students in biology, agronomy, and environmental sciences see brown biotechnology as a promising area of research with significant social and environmental impact.
The future of brown biotechnology
Looking ahead, brown biotechnology will be a key pillar in addressing global challenges. As the population grows and climate change intensifies droughts, more regions are likely to become arid. The solutions offered by this field will help ensure food security under such harsh conditions by developing crops capable of feeding communities despite limited water resources. This not only provides food but also helps prevent social problems, since productive land reduces the need for people to migrate due to hunger or compete for scarce resources. Moreover, it supports environmental sustainability, as restoring degraded soils and slowing desertification protects biodiversity and prevents the release of dust and CO₂ from eroded land.
Of course, these biotechnological solutions must be accompanied by effective water management, conservation policies, and community involvement to achieve lasting results. We can expect to see increasingly innovative technologies, such as transgenic or gene-edited plants with multiple tolerances (to drought, extreme heat, and salinity), microorganisms engineered to create a nutrient layer over sand, and even integrated bioenergy systems in desert areas (like algae producing biofuels using brackish water). All these advancements fit into a vision of a planet that makes better use of its arid lands instead of abandoning them to degradation.
On this path, companies such as TECNIC, specialized in developing advanced bioprocess solutions, play a crucial role by providing technology, innovation, and equipment capable of supporting these projects under extreme conditions.
In conclusion, brown biotechnology represents a tangible hope for transforming deserts into sources of life and resources, merging engineering and ecology to build a more sustainable future in the world’s driest regions. The ability to make deserts bloom offered by brown biotechnology, together with the commitment of companies like TECNIC, makes it an inspiring field where science and sustainability go hand in hand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Brown Biotechnology
It is the branch of biotechnology focused on arid and desert regions. It applies biological and engineering tools to improve drylands, enhance soil quality, and introduce resilient crops that can thrive with scarce water.
Brown biotechnology is a sub-area linked to green biotech but adapted to arid zones. Grey (environmental) biotechnology covers broader remediation and protection tasks (e.g., bioremediation and resource recovery), while brown focuses specifically on dryland challenges such as drought, poor soils, and desertification.
Development of drought-tolerant crops, microbial biostimulants for soil health, water-efficient cultivation, restoration of degraded soils, and sustainable agriculture strategies designed for desert and semi-arid areas.
It helps maintain productivity under drought and heat stress by improving water use, stabilizing soils, and enabling reliable yields in regions most affected by climate change.
Not exactly. There is overlap with environmental biotechnology, but brown biotechnology is primarily oriented to arid-land agriculture and ecosystem recovery. Bioremediation and biomining are part of environmental/industrial scopes and may intersect depending on the project and region.
References
- Rodríguez-Núñez, K., Rodríguez-Ramos, F., Leiva-Portilla, D., & Ibáñez, C. (2020). Brown biotechnology: a powerful toolbox for resolving current and future challenges in the development of arid lands. SN Applied Sciences, 2, 1187. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-020-2980-0
- Gairola, S., & others. (2018). Strengthening desert plant biotechnology research in the United Arab Emirates: prospects and challenges. Frontiers in Plant Science.
- Tariq, A., & others. (2024). Impact of aridity rise and arid lands expansion on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus dynamics in plant–soil systems. Global Change Biology.
- D’Odorico, P., & others. (2013). Global desertification: drivers and feedbacks. Science of the Total Environment.
- Okin, G. S. (2009). Do changes in connectivity explain desertification? BioScience, 59(3), 237–247.
- Díaz, J., & others. (2017). Regional and global aridity trends and future projections. Arid Land Research and Management (UNCCD Report).
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- Abou-Khater, L., & others. (2022). Genomic regions associated with herbicide tolerance in faba bean: insights from landraces and ICARDA breeding lines. Plant Science.
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