The diversity and discontinuity of plant communities in the oasis–desert ecotone are largely shaped by variations in groundwater depth,yet the relationships between spatial distribution patterns and ecological niches...The diversity and discontinuity of plant communities in the oasis–desert ecotone are largely shaped by variations in groundwater depth,yet the relationships between spatial distribution patterns and ecological niches at a regional scale remain insufficiently understood.This study examined the oasis–desert ecotone in Qira County located in the Tarim Basin of China to investigate the spatial distribution of plant communities and groundwater depth as well as their relationships using an integrated approach that combined remote sensing techniques,field monitoring,and numerical modeling.The results showed that vegetation distribution exhibits marked spatial heterogeneity,with coverage ranked as follows:Tamarix ramosissima>Phragmites australis>Populus euphratica>Alhagi sparsifolia.Numerical simulations indicated that groundwater depths range from 2.00 to 65.00 m below the surface,with the system currently in equilibrium,sustaining an average annual recharge of 1.06×10^(8) m^(3) and an average annual discharge of 1.01×10^(8) m^(3).Groundwater depth strongly influences vegetation composition and structure:Phragmites australis dominates at average groundwater depth of 5.83 m,followed by Populus euphratica at average groundwater depth of 7.05 m.As groundwater depth increases,the community is initially predominated by Tamarix ramosissima(average groundwater depth of 8.35 m),then becomes a mixture of Tamarix ramosissima,Populus euphratica,and Karelinia caspia(average groundwater depth of 10.50 m),and finally transitions to Alhagi sparsifolia(average groundwater depth of 14.30 m).These findings highlight groundwater-dependent ecological thresholds that govern plant community composition and provide a scientific basis for biodiversity conservation,ecosystem stability,and vegetation restoration in the arid oasis–desert ecotone.展开更多
The countries of Central Asia are collectively known as the five "-stans": Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. In recent times, the Central Asian region has been affected by the ...The countries of Central Asia are collectively known as the five "-stans": Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. In recent times, the Central Asian region has been affected by the shrinkage of the Aral Sea, widespread desertification, soil salinization, biodiversity loss, frequent sand storms, and many other ecological disasters. This paper is a review article based upon the collection, identification and collation of previous studies of environmental changes and regional developments in Central Asia in the past 30 years. Most recent studies have reached a consensus that the temperature rise in Central Asia is occurring faster than the global average. This warming trend will not only result in a higher evaporation in the basin oases, but also to a significant retreat of glaciers in the mountainous areas. Water is the key to sustainable development in the arid and semi-arid regions in Central Asia. The uneven distribution, over consumption, and pollution of water resources in Central Asia have caused severe water supply problems, which have been affecting regional harmony and development for the past 30 years. The widespread and significant land use changes in the 1990 s could be used to improve our understanding of natural variability and human interaction in the region. There has been a positive trend of trans-border cooperation among the Central Asian countries in recent years. International attention has grown and research projects have been initiated to provide water and ecosystem protection in Central Asia. However, the agreements that have been reached might not be able to deliver practical action in time to prevent severe ecological disasters. Water management should be based on hydrographic borders and ministries should be able to make timely decisions without political intervention. Fully integrated management of water resources, land use and industrial development is essential in Central Asia. The ecological crisis should provide sufficient motivation to reach a consensus on unified water management throughout the region.展开更多
The oasis-desert ecotone is a fragile ecological zone that is affected both by oasis and desert conditions. To understand the impact of the differences in wind power, and the influence of wind erosion and deposition o...The oasis-desert ecotone is a fragile ecological zone that is affected both by oasis and desert conditions. To understand the impact of the differences in wind power, and the influence of wind erosion and deposition on the ecotone, meteorological data and con- temporaneous wind erosion and deposition data were collected on the southern margin of Tarim Basin with serious sand-blown hazards. The wind velocity, average wind velocity, sand drift potential （DP）, resultant sand drift potential （RDP）, and sand transportation rate decrease significantly and successively across four landscape types with increasing vegetation coverage （VC）. Flat surfaces and areas of shifting sandy ground experience intense wind erosion with fast movement of mobile sand dunes; semi-fixed sand areas experience ex- tensive wind deposition but only slight wind erosion; and fixed sand areas experience only slight wind erosion and deposition. Volume of wind erosion on bare newly reclaimed farmland is up to 6.96 times that of bare shifting sandy ground. Wind erosion volume per unit area and VC follow an exponential function relationship in natural conditions, while wind deposition volume per unit area does not conform to any functions which has close relationship with vary topography and arrangement patterns of vegetation besides for VC. The results indicate that the volume of wind erosion has a close correlation with VC, and different types and distribution patterns of topog- raphy and vegetation also profoundly influence the wind deposition volume in the field, and underground water tables in different land- scape types control the plant community distribution. Keywords： wind erosion; wind deposition; oasis-desert ecotone; vegetation coverage （VC）; topography; Cele County展开更多
Desert phreatophytes are greatly dependent on groundwater, but how their root systems adapt to different groundwater depths is poorly understood. In the present study, shoot and root growths of Alhagi sparsifolia Shap...Desert phreatophytes are greatly dependent on groundwater, but how their root systems adapt to different groundwater depths is poorly understood. In the present study, shoot and root growths of Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. seedlings were studied across a gradient of groundwater depths. Leaves, stems and roots of different orders were measured after 120 days of different groundwater treatments. Results indicated that the depth of soil wetting front and the vertical distribution of soil water contents were highly controlled by groundwater depths. The shoot growth and biomass of A. sparsifolia decreased, but the root growth and rooting depth increased under deeper groundwater conditions. The higher ratios of root biomass, root/shoot and root length/leaf area under deeper groundwater conditions implied that seedlings of A. sparsifolia economized carbon cost on their shoot growths. The roots of A. sparsifolia distributed evenly around the soil wetting fronts under deeper groundwater conditions. Root diameters and root lengths of all orders were correlated with soil water availabilities both within and among treatments. Seedlings of A. sparsifolia produced finer first- and second-order roots but larger third- and fourth-order roots in dry soils. The results demonstrated that the root systems of desert phreatophytes can be optimized to acquire groundwater resources and maximize seedling growth by balancing the costs of carbon gain.展开更多
基金financially supported by the Tianchi Talents Program of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region(E5358525,2025–2026)the Major Science and Technology Special Project of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region(2024A03009-4)+4 种基金the Third Xinjiang Scientific Expedition Program(2022xjkk010402)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022FY202305-06)the Tianshan Talents Program of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region(2022TSYCJU0002)the Outstanding Member of the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(20192024–2026).
文摘The diversity and discontinuity of plant communities in the oasis–desert ecotone are largely shaped by variations in groundwater depth,yet the relationships between spatial distribution patterns and ecological niches at a regional scale remain insufficiently understood.This study examined the oasis–desert ecotone in Qira County located in the Tarim Basin of China to investigate the spatial distribution of plant communities and groundwater depth as well as their relationships using an integrated approach that combined remote sensing techniques,field monitoring,and numerical modeling.The results showed that vegetation distribution exhibits marked spatial heterogeneity,with coverage ranked as follows:Tamarix ramosissima>Phragmites australis>Populus euphratica>Alhagi sparsifolia.Numerical simulations indicated that groundwater depths range from 2.00 to 65.00 m below the surface,with the system currently in equilibrium,sustaining an average annual recharge of 1.06×10^(8) m^(3) and an average annual discharge of 1.01×10^(8) m^(3).Groundwater depth strongly influences vegetation composition and structure:Phragmites australis dominates at average groundwater depth of 5.83 m,followed by Populus euphratica at average groundwater depth of 7.05 m.As groundwater depth increases,the community is initially predominated by Tamarix ramosissima(average groundwater depth of 8.35 m),then becomes a mixture of Tamarix ramosissima,Populus euphratica,and Karelinia caspia(average groundwater depth of 10.50 m),and finally transitions to Alhagi sparsifolia(average groundwater depth of 14.30 m).These findings highlight groundwater-dependent ecological thresholds that govern plant community composition and provide a scientific basis for biodiversity conservation,ecosystem stability,and vegetation restoration in the arid oasis–desert ecotone.
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Pan-Third Pole Environment Study for a Green Silk Road (XDA20060303)the Xinjiang Key Research and Development Program (2016B02017-4)+1 种基金the National Nature Science Foundation of China-United Nations Environment Programme (NSFC-UNEP, 41361140361)the ''High-level Talents Project'' (Y871171) of Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences
文摘The countries of Central Asia are collectively known as the five "-stans": Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. In recent times, the Central Asian region has been affected by the shrinkage of the Aral Sea, widespread desertification, soil salinization, biodiversity loss, frequent sand storms, and many other ecological disasters. This paper is a review article based upon the collection, identification and collation of previous studies of environmental changes and regional developments in Central Asia in the past 30 years. Most recent studies have reached a consensus that the temperature rise in Central Asia is occurring faster than the global average. This warming trend will not only result in a higher evaporation in the basin oases, but also to a significant retreat of glaciers in the mountainous areas. Water is the key to sustainable development in the arid and semi-arid regions in Central Asia. The uneven distribution, over consumption, and pollution of water resources in Central Asia have caused severe water supply problems, which have been affecting regional harmony and development for the past 30 years. The widespread and significant land use changes in the 1990 s could be used to improve our understanding of natural variability and human interaction in the region. There has been a positive trend of trans-border cooperation among the Central Asian countries in recent years. International attention has grown and research projects have been initiated to provide water and ecosystem protection in Central Asia. However, the agreements that have been reached might not be able to deliver practical action in time to prevent severe ecological disasters. Water management should be based on hydrographic borders and ministries should be able to make timely decisions without political intervention. Fully integrated management of water resources, land use and industrial development is essential in Central Asia. The ecological crisis should provide sufficient motivation to reach a consensus on unified water management throughout the region.
基金Under the auspices of Special Major Science and Technology Projects in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region(No.201130106-1)Public Sector(Meteorology)Research Project(No.GYHY201106025)Doctoral Station Supporting Foundation for Geography of Xinjiang Normal University and Open Project of Xinjiang Lake Environment and Resources Key Laboratory of Arid Zone(No.XJDX0909-2013-08)
文摘The oasis-desert ecotone is a fragile ecological zone that is affected both by oasis and desert conditions. To understand the impact of the differences in wind power, and the influence of wind erosion and deposition on the ecotone, meteorological data and con- temporaneous wind erosion and deposition data were collected on the southern margin of Tarim Basin with serious sand-blown hazards. The wind velocity, average wind velocity, sand drift potential （DP）, resultant sand drift potential （RDP）, and sand transportation rate decrease significantly and successively across four landscape types with increasing vegetation coverage （VC）. Flat surfaces and areas of shifting sandy ground experience intense wind erosion with fast movement of mobile sand dunes; semi-fixed sand areas experience ex- tensive wind deposition but only slight wind erosion; and fixed sand areas experience only slight wind erosion and deposition. Volume of wind erosion on bare newly reclaimed farmland is up to 6.96 times that of bare shifting sandy ground. Wind erosion volume per unit area and VC follow an exponential function relationship in natural conditions, while wind deposition volume per unit area does not conform to any functions which has close relationship with vary topography and arrangement patterns of vegetation besides for VC. The results indicate that the volume of wind erosion has a close correlation with VC, and different types and distribution patterns of topog- raphy and vegetation also profoundly influence the wind deposition volume in the field, and underground water tables in different land- scape types control the plant community distribution. Keywords： wind erosion; wind deposition; oasis-desert ecotone; vegetation coverage （VC）; topography; Cele County
基金supported by the Joint Funds of National Natural Science Foundation of China (U1203201)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41371516, 31100144)
文摘Desert phreatophytes are greatly dependent on groundwater, but how their root systems adapt to different groundwater depths is poorly understood. In the present study, shoot and root growths of Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. seedlings were studied across a gradient of groundwater depths. Leaves, stems and roots of different orders were measured after 120 days of different groundwater treatments. Results indicated that the depth of soil wetting front and the vertical distribution of soil water contents were highly controlled by groundwater depths. The shoot growth and biomass of A. sparsifolia decreased, but the root growth and rooting depth increased under deeper groundwater conditions. The higher ratios of root biomass, root/shoot and root length/leaf area under deeper groundwater conditions implied that seedlings of A. sparsifolia economized carbon cost on their shoot growths. The roots of A. sparsifolia distributed evenly around the soil wetting fronts under deeper groundwater conditions. Root diameters and root lengths of all orders were correlated with soil water availabilities both within and among treatments. Seedlings of A. sparsifolia produced finer first- and second-order roots but larger third- and fourth-order roots in dry soils. The results demonstrated that the root systems of desert phreatophytes can be optimized to acquire groundwater resources and maximize seedling growth by balancing the costs of carbon gain.
