Biochar as a Nature‐Based Solution for Sustainable and Drought‐Resilient Grassland Restoration

ABSTRACT Climate‐induced drought is accelerating the degradation of alpine grasslands, which cover 50%–60% of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and provide critical ecosystem services including biodiversity conservation, carbon storage, and forage production. Degradation and recurrent drought events can reduce aboveground biomass by up to 73%, severely impairing soil function and ecosystem stability. This review highlights biochar as a nature‐based solution (NbS) with measurable potential to enhance drought resilience in alpine ecosystems. Empirical evidence demonstrates that biochar increases soil organic carbon by 2.7–10.7 g kg −1 , total nitrogen by 0.24–0.83 g kg −1 , and soil water‐holding capacity by up to 51% in sandy soils (and ~20% in finer‐textured soils), reduces nutrient leaching and maintains fertility under moisture‐limited conditions. Biochar also enhances microbial biomass C and N, enzymatic activity, and microbial diversity (15%–40%), strengthening nutrient cycling and plant stress tolerance. Field trials show a 25%–30% increase in aboveground biomass, while seed germination and soil seed bank viability improve by 20%–40%, facilitating vegetation regeneration and succession. Co‐benefits include stabilization of soil organic carbon pools (10%–30%) and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, reinforcing biochar's role in climate adaptation. By simultaneously addressing the physical, chemical, and biological dimensions of drought stress, biochar offers an integrative pathway for grassland restoration. Nonetheless, uncertainties remain regarding optimal feedstocks, application rates, and long‐term ecological interactions. We advocate embedding biochar in restoration policies, aligning with climate adaptation goals, and promoting cross‐sectoral collaboration to enable scalable deployment. Collectively, the evidence positions biochar as a sustainable, science‐based strategy to secure the multifunctionality of alpine grasslands in a rapidly changing climate.