The northern wind-sand belt is a critical area for desertification control and sand source prevention in China, where water scarcity is a key limiting factor for ecological construction and desertification management. From the perspective of water-soil coordination and functional enhancement, this study followed a systematic approach of "mechanism research and innovation-model development and construction-technology development and breakthrough-integrated application and demonstration." A theoretical framework for coordinating water-soil resources and enhancing functions in the northern wind-sand belt was established, a comprehensive technology system for managing protective vegetation in the wind-sand belt was developed, and a new model for sand prevention and control in the new era was formulated. These outcomes aim to promote the continuous improvement of the functional capabilities of the protective vegetation system, supporting the construction of ecological barriers in the northern wind-sand belt and the high-quality development of regional sand prevention and control efforts.