Roles of science in institutional changes: The case of desertification control in China

► The application of science improved the outcome of desertification control by influencing institutional changes. ► The major aspects of the institutional changes were identified. ► The effects of applied scientific measures had more impacts on institutional changes than the extents of the adoption and implementation of the measures. ► Six scientific areas had the greatest effects on institutional changes were observed. ► The most important factors influencing the application effects of science on institutional change were emphasized.