Nighttime sap flow and its driving forces for Populus euphratica in a desert riparian forest, Northwest China

Nighttime sap flow is a potentially important factor that affects whole-plant water balance and water-use efficiency （WUE）. Its functions include predawn disequilibrium between plant and soil water potentials as well as between the increments of oxygen supply and nutrient uptake. However, main factors that drive nighttime sap flow remain unclear, and researches related to the relationship between nighttime sap flow velocity and environmental factors are limited. Accordingly, we investigated the variations in the nighttime sap flow of Populus euphratica in a desert riparian forest of an extremely arid region, Northwest China. Results indicated that P. euphratica sap flow occurred throughout the night during the growing season because of the partial stomata opening. Nighttime sap flow for the P. euphratica forest accounted for 31%-47% of its daily sap flow during the growing season. The high value of nighttime sap flow could be the result of high stomatal conductance and could have significant implications for water budgets. Throughout the whole growing season, nighttime sap flow velocity of P. euphratica was positively correlated with the vapor pressure deficit （VPD）, air temperature and soil water content. We found that VPD and soil water content were the main driving factors for nighttime sap flow of P. euphratica.

Nutrient status of Populus euphratica growing in desert riparian forests of northwestern China

Seasonal and microhabitat variations of chemical constituents of foliar organic carbon （C）, total nitrogen （N）, total phosphorus （P）, and total potassium （K）, in Populus euphratica growing in desert riparian forests in northwestern China and their correlations were studied. Results show that ranges of C, N, P and K contents in the leaves ofP. euphratica were 39.08%-46.16%, 0.28%-2.81%, 0.05%-0.18% and 0.35%-2.03%, with means of 43.51%, 1.49%, 0.102% and 1.17%, respectively. The ratio of C/N, C/P and N/P changed from 16.26 to 146.61, from 258.08 to 908.67 and from 2.89 to 26.67; the mean was 37.24, 466.27 and 15.14, respectively. The mean N content was significantly lower than of deciduous trees in China, but the mean P content was nearly equivalent. The ratio of C/N was remarkably higher than of global land plants. The ratio of N/P indicated that growth ofP. euphratica was jointly limited by N and P nutrient deficiency. During the growth season, total trends of leaf C, N, P and K contents decreased. The max- imum appeared in May, and the minimum in September. Among microhabitats, C, N and K contents gradually increased from ri- parian lowland, flatland, sandpile, Gobi and dune, but C/N ratio was opposite, and P content was not apparent. Foliar C content was extremely, significantly and positively correlated with N and K contents, respectively. The relationships of N-K and P-K were both significantly positive.

How changes of groundwater level affect the desert riparian forest ecosystem in the Ejina Oasis,Northwest China

Groundwater is a key factor controlling the growth of vegetation in desert riparian systems. It is important to recognise how groundwater changes affect the riparian forest ecosystem. This information will not only help us to understand the ecological and hydrological process of the riparian forest but also provide support for ecological recovery of riparian forests and water-resources management of arid inland river basins. This study aims to estimate the suitability of the Water Vegetation Energy and Solute Modelling(WAVES) model to simulate the Ejina Desert riparian forest ecosystem changes,China, to assess effects of groundwater-depth change on the canopy leaf area index(LAI) and water budgets, and to ascertain the suitable groundwater depth for preserving the stability and structure of desert riparian forest. Results demonstrated that the WAVES model can simulate changes to ecological and hydrological processes. The annual mean water consumption of a Tamarix chinensis riparian forest was less than that of a Populus euphratica riparian forest, and the canopy LAI of the desert riparian forest should increase as groundwater depth decreases. Groundwater changes could significantly influence water budgets for T. chinensis and P. euphratica riparian forests and show the positive and negative effects on vegetation growth and water budgets of riparian forests. Maintaining the annual mean groundwater depth at around 1.7-2.7 m is critical for healthy riparian forest growth. This study highlights the importance of considering groundwater-change impacts on desert riparian vegetation and water-balance applications in ecological restoration and efficient water-resource management in the Heihe River Basin.

Sap Flow of Populus euphratica in a Desert Riparian Forest in an Extreme Arid Region During the Growing Season

In the present study, the heat pulse technique was applied to investigate the stem sap flow of Populus euphratica in a desert riparian forest in an extreme arid region from April to October 2003 and from May to October 2004. The experimental sites were in Qidaoqiao （101 °10′ E, 41°59′ N） and Bayantaolai farm （101°14′ E, 42°01′ N） in Ejina county, in the low reaches of the Heihe River, China. The results indicated that the diurnal change in the velocity of sap flow showed minor fluctuations. At night, the rising of sap flow could be observed in the main tree species because of root pressure. During the growing season, the maximum average velocity was observed in July, followed by August, and the same velocity was observed in September and May; the minimum velocity was observed in October. The transpiration from June to August during the growing season accounted for approximately 70% of the annual total transpiration. The sap flow velocity of P. euphratica trees of different ages could be arranged in the order： 15 yr 〉 25 yr 〉 50 yr. Sap flow velocity was closely related to changes in micrometeorological factors, with average sap flow velocity showing a significant linear correlation with net radiation, air temperature and relative humidity.

Evapotranspiration and its main controlling mechanism over the desert riparian forests in the lower Tarim River Basin

Evapotranspiration(ET) and its controlling mechanism over the desert riparian forests in arid regions are the important scientific basis for the water resources managements of the lower reaches of the inland rivers of China. Nearly three years of continuous measurements of surface ET, soil water content at different depths and groundwater table over a typical Tamarix spp. stand and a typical Populus euphratica stand were conducted in the lower reach of the Tarim River. The ET seasonal trends in the growing season were controlled by plant phenology, and ET in non-growing season was weak. The diurnal variations of ET resulting from the comprehensive effects of all atmospheric factors were significantly related with reference ET. The spatial pattern of ET was determined by vegetation LAI, more vegetation coverage, more ET amount. Groundwater is the water source of surface ET, and the soil water in shallow layers hardly took part in the water exchange in the groundwatersoil-plant-air system. The temporal processes of ET over the Tamarix stand and the Populus stand were similar, but the water consumption of the well-grown Populus euphratica was higher than that of the well-grown Tamarix spp. Further analysis indicates that plant transpiration accounts for most of the surface ET, with soil evaporation weak and negligible; groundwater table is a crucial factor influencing ET over the desert riparian forests, groundwater influences the processes and amounts of ET by controlling the growth and spatial distribution of desert riparian forests; quantifying the water stress of desert riparian forests using groundwater table is more appropriate, rather than soil water content. Based on the understanding of ET and water movements in the groundwater-soil-plant-air system, a generalized framework expressing the water cycling and its key controlling mechanism in the lower reaches of the inland rivers of China is described, and a simple model to estimate water requirements of the desert riparian forests is presented.

Water use strategies of the desert riparian forest plant community in the lower reaches of Heihe River Basin, China

The object of this paper is the different plant communities in the Ejina desert riparian forest. Groundwater depth, soil moisture, plant water potential, relative leaf moisture content and water use efficiency was monitored, and the response of soil moisture and plant ecology to the groundwater depth and the water use efficiency of the different plant communities was analyzed. The results showed that：（1） Along with the groundwater depth increasing, predawn and midday water potential of the plants, with the exception of Reaumuria soongorica, did not decrease significantly, indicating that when the groundwater depth is less than 3 m, the plant communities in the range of 4 km from the river way did not suffer or slightly suffer from water stress;（2） The distribution of higher soil moisture content within 0–3 m soil layer is suitable with the plants’ root system, as indicated in the communities of coexisting overripe Populus euphratica or Taramrix chinensis, both of which can release excessive water into soil for shallow rooted shrubs or herbaceous plants when there is water shortage;（3） R. soongorica can absorb deep soil moisture through deep roots for their own survival;（4） The community consisting of Sophora alopecuroides, Karelinia caspica, T. chinensis, and overripe P. euphratica has the best species combination for restoring the damaged eco-environment in the lower reaches of Heihe River;（5） The order of plants’ relative leaf water contents is K. caspica ＆gt; S. alopecuroides ＆gt; young P. euphratica ＆gt; overripe P. euphratica ＆gt; mature P. euphratica = T. chinensis coexisting with other species ＆gt; single R. soongorica ＆gt; single T. chinensis and the order of WUE is single T. chinensis ＆gt; single R. soongorica ＆gt; T. chinensis living in symbiosis with other species ＆gt; S. alopecuroides = young P. euphratica ＆gt; mature P. euphratica ＆gt; overripe P. euphratica ＆gt; K. caspica. Therefore, with ample soil moisture, the plant community helps rapid growth of T. chinensis, young P. euphratica and R. soongorica plants of less moisture content. Despite this they do not have much water storage capability, but have strong drought resistance, and higher moisture contents of S. alopecuroides and K. caspica, thus leaving them with poor drought resistance. Overall, the desert riparian forest plant community in the lower reaches of Heihe River helps the species of higher WUE live on it.

Responses of distribution pattern of desert riparian forests to hydrologic process in Ejina oasis

By using the theories and methods of landscape ecology and the technology of GIS and RS, a study has been carried out on the responses of distribution pattern of desert riparian forest to hydrologic process on the basis of the hydrologic data from 1990 to 2000 and the TM image of 2001 year. The results showed that: (1) there appears an even distribution pattern for the relative forest area in oasis, however, the degenerated forest diaplays an increasing tendency from west to east; (2) the desert riparian forest in Ejina is in completely degenerated process at the patch scale; (3) the number of patch is influenced not only by hydrologic process,but also by agricultural activity such as cultivation. The severe deterioration of the degraded vegetation in whole oasis initiates from lower reaches, and gradually impels to upstream; the fragmentation of landscape in the terminal site is more obvious, which is influenced by river shape and decreasing flux of water. It is found that the influence of surface hydrologic process to the ground hydrologic process of desert riparian forest in Ejina oasis is little for the recent ten years. The relative area of the degenerated forest increased with increasing ground water depth in the direction of parallel to river channel. On the contrary, in the direction perpendicular to river channel, there is a decreasing tendency for the average patch area of the forest and the degenerated forest with increasing ground water depth.

塔里木荒漠河岸林物种多样性沿地下水埋深梯度的分布格局

探讨荒漠河岸林土壤水分、物种多样性的空间变异性及其相互关系,可为干旱区天然林保护、可持续经营和生态恢复提供科学依据。以塔里木荒漠河岸林为研究对象,基于野外样带调查和采样测定,系统分析了地下水埋深(GWD)梯度下林地土壤水分与物种多样性的空间变异及其权衡关系。结果表明:随GWD增加和土壤水分减少,荒漠河岸林群落物种数减少、结构简化、群落发生退化,退化顺序为浅根系的中生草本植物和灌木,最后留存的是抗旱性较强的乔灌木或灌木;同时土壤水分和物种丰富度、物种多样性指数均呈显著的线性递减趋势,而物种均匀度指数降幅较小。GWD与土壤水分、物种多样性之间均呈极显著的相关(P<0.01),土壤水分与物种多样性的相对收益随GWD增加而逐渐降低,表明GWD是控制荒漠河岸林土壤水分和物种多样性空间变异的关键因素。荒漠河岸林土壤水分与物种多样性权衡关系的转折点为GWD 4.5m左右,转折点以下(GWD<4.5m)二者沿GWD以相同速率变化,呈协同关系;转折点以上(GWD>4.5m)土壤水分与物种多样性的权衡明显增大,土壤水分相对收益剧降,即维持当前相应的物种多样性以消耗土壤水分为代价,系统通过反馈调节使物种多样性降低。综上表明,维持塔里木荒漠河岸林物种多样性和生态系统功能的合理GWD在4.5m左右,这为塔里木河流域荒漠河岸林保育与生态输水工程实施提供科学依据。

洪水漫溢对林窗微环境时空差异的影响--以塔里木河中游荒漠河岸林为例

林窗是森林生态系统中普遍存在的干扰形式。探究洪水漫溢对林窗内部微环境时空异质性的影响,对揭示荒漠河岸林物种多样性变化及其更新特征具有重要意义。在塔里木河中游非洪水和洪水漫溢区各选取一个大小相似的林窗样地,并使用便携式气象监测仪对林窗内不同方位的空气温湿度进行监测,对比分析不同水淹条件下林窗内微环境的时空分布差异,为深入探索荒漠河岸林植被更新机制奠定基础。结果表明:(1)非洪水漫溢区和洪水漫溢区林窗内空气温度均呈现先上升后下降的变化趋势,空气湿度均呈现先下降后上升的变化趋势,且同一个样地中温度与湿度之间存在明显的负相关关系,而洪水漫溢改变了森林微环境,使林窗内湿度升高,温度下降。(2)非洪水漫溢区和洪水漫溢区林窗内不同方位温度分布差异较小,洪水漫溢对温度变化影响不大;两个样地林窗内湿度变化过程较为复杂,差异明显,洪水漫溢区湿度变化梯度更为密集。(3)非洪水漫溢区和洪水漫溢区林窗内温度差界限明显,西南方向温度差较小,中心位置温度差最大,洪水漫溢并未改变不同方位温度变化趋势;湿度差以中心偏北方向较大,其中非洪水漫溢区湿度差在西北方向较小,而洪水漫溢区湿度差最小值出现在西南方向。研究结果表示荒漠河岸林林窗微环境时空差异具有干旱区独特性,同时阐明了林窗微环境对洪水漫溢的响应,为深入研究林窗干扰对荒漠河岸林更新与演替提供了科学依据。

干旱区荒漠河岸林引洪灌溉生态修复研究

选择典型荒漠河段引洪灌溉生态修复区域,利用遥感数据和地下水监测数据,结合实地调查等手段对和田河沙漠段典型荒漠河岸林引洪灌溉生态修复效果开展了研究,采用多波段水体指数MBWI和归一化差异植被指数NDVI分析评价研究区生态修复效果。结果表明:引洪灌溉对生态修复区地下水有抬升作用,缓解年内地下水持续降低趋势,同时提高植被覆盖水平,这导致植被覆盖度高地区面积增加,无植被覆盖地区面积减少。然而目前引洪灌溉生态修复存在积水面积较大,积水时间较长,区域分布不均等问题,引洪灌溉生态闸位置和合理的运行制度还需要进一步研究。研究成果可以为干旱区内陆河流域荒漠河岸林生态修复提供借鉴。

塔里木河下游荒漠河岸林近地表沙尘通量及粒度特征

[目的]分析主导风向下塔里木河下游阿拉干断面天然胡杨河岸林迎风面和背风面的沙尘输沙量及粒度特征,为该区天然河岸林防风固沙提供理论依据。[方法]利用BSNE梯度集沙仪采集两个迎风面样地(Y_(1),Y_(2))和两个背风面样地(B_(1),B_(2))近地表10,30,50,100和150 cm这5个高度的沉积物,再由Microtrac S3500激光衍射粒度分析仪测定沙样粒度特征。[结果]①4个样地沙尘水平通量皆遵循幂函数或指数函数分布,总输沙量呈现:Y_(1)>Y_(2)>B_(1)>B_(2),各样地随着离地表高度的增加输沙量呈减少趋势。②背风面相较于迎风面输沙量降幅在35%~80%之间,说明塔里木河下游天然胡杨河岸林具有较显著的防风固沙效益。③各高度沙粒平均粒径为80~93μm,以极细沙为主,粒径频率曲线呈单峰分布,沙尘组成简单,以局地沙源为主。[结论]研究区天然胡杨河岸林背风面输沙量低于迎风面、平均粒径小于迎风面、分选性优于迎风面、峰态窄于迎风面、偏度稍小于迎风面。因此胡杨河岸林防风固沙效益较显著,可作为减少研究区风沙天气危害的有效措施。

荒漠区垂直河岸带植物多样性格局及其成因

荒漠区河岸植物多样性格局特征和影响机制研究可为河岸带生物多样性保护和管理提供依据。艾比湖荒漠区垂直河岸样带的植物多样性格局及其土壤影响机制的研究表明:(1)距河2.0—3.0 km(T3.0)和0.9—1.5 km(T1.5)的样带植物本质多样性、α多样性整体高于距河0.1—0.2 km(T0.2)和0.2—0.4 km(T0.4)的样带(P<0.05);(2)T0.4样带多样性最低,物种相似性最高,且植物生活型和土壤属性均较T0.2有较大的变化,反映了距河0.2—0.4 km区域群落性质的转变,0.2—0.4 km可作为确定河岸带宽度的参考样带;(3)影响植物多样性的土壤因素和途径沿T0.2—T3.0样带趋于简单化,即由近河带(T0.2)贫营养(碳磷比(C/P)、土壤有机质(SOM))和高土壤水分(SWC)、盐分(TS)的限制作用,到远离河流旱胁迫加剧时对植物多样性影响逐渐突出的土壤全磷(P)和SWC;(4)根据T1.5、T3.0植物多样性特征,研究区土壤水分在7.0—7.5%间,C/P在26.1—30.2之间以及盐分低于1.0%时能维持较高的多样性。最后对保护区河岸带和缓冲带宽度的确定、河岸带管理、植被资源保护以及生态系统恢复等提出针对性建议,以期为制定有效的河岸带生物多样性维护和资源管理对策提供理论参考和科学依据。

塔里木河下游植物群落分布格局及其环境解释

研究表明,塔里木河下游地区共有植物18种,分别隶属于9科、15属.其中藜科(Chenopodiaceae)、柽柳科(Tamaricaceae)、豆科(Leguminosae)3个科有10种,约占所有种数的56%,反映了干旱区旱生耐盐种类占优势的特点.样地排序结果表明,沿样地CA第一排序轴,所有18个调查样地可划分为3种类型,分别对应3种不同地下水位,即浅地下水位区(＜3 m)、中地下水位区(3～5 m)和深地下水位区(＞5 m),不同的植被类型组合亦分别对应不同类型的地下水位.CCA排序表明,影响该地区植物群落分布格局的环境因子主要是地下水位、土壤含水量、土壤pH值.CCA排序分析可将18种植物分为4个组,分别对应于不同的环境因子变化梯度.从管理的角度出发,在塔里木河流域下游地区进行受损生态系统的恢复与重建过程中,要重点考虑到上述提及的主要环境因子,尤其是重视水资源的合理开发与利用,采用适宜的灌溉方式,防止地下水位下降和土壤盐渍化的发生.

河水漫溢对塔里木河下游荒漠河岸林地表植被与土壤种子库的影响

采用种子萌发法,研究了河水漫溢对塔里木河下游荒漠河岸林地表植被与土壤种子库的影响.结果表明:塔里木河下游漫溢区地表植被分属8科13属14种,非漫溢区为10科21属26种植物;与非漫溢区相比,漫溢区地表植被中出现了一些浅根系和喜湿的草本植物;漫溢区单位面积物种数、植被盖度、植株密度、物种多样性指数和丰富度指数均比非漫溢区有明显增加.漫溢区土壤种子库中有物种19种,比非漫溢区增加了5种;漫溢区土壤种子库总密度比非漫溢区增加了3.94倍;与非漫溢区相比,漫溢区1年生草本植物种子的比例增加了23.07%,而灌木植物种子比例减少了20.99%;多年生草本的变化则不明显;河水漫溢提高了土壤种子库的生物多样性.漫溢区和非漫溢区土壤种子库与地表植被的共有物种分别为18和9种,土壤种子库与地表植被的相似性系数分别为0.842和0.667.

荒漠河岸林胡杨和柽柳群落小气候特征研究

在内蒙古额济纳旗运用微气象学方法以多路传感器同步观测的方式对极端干旱区荒漠河岸林小气候进行了观测。对我国极端干旱区荒漠河岸林胡杨和柽柳群落内的小气候特征与空旷地的差异进行了初步的探讨,并分析了产生这些差异的原因。结果表明:荒漠河岸林具有独特的小气候作用。具有改变太阳辐射、调节近地层地表及地下温度、缩小温差、降低风速、增加土壤湿度和提高空气湿度等重要生态作用。(1)胡杨和柽柳群落均起到了改变太阳辐射的作用,林冠层顶部的太阳总辐射量月平均值分别为341.72MJ.m-2、345.14MJ.m-2,林冠遮蔽使胡杨和柽柳林内总辐射比林外分别减少49.8%、49.3%;(2)生长季胡杨和柽柳林内的气温均低于林外,胡杨林平均比对照低1.62℃,柽柳林平均比对照低0.83℃,而且森林覆盖率越高降温作用越明显;群落上层气温高于群落下层,气温随高度增加而增加;(3)林内平均大气相对湿度均高于林外,胡杨林生长季比对照平均高8.5%,柽柳林平均比对照大4.2%。胡杨林地空气相对湿度各月值高于柽柳林地,平均湿度比柽柳高4.33%;(4)柽柳林月平均土壤温度(19.43℃)高于胡杨林地(18.20℃);(5)林内风速低于林外,胡杨林地平均风速为0.33m.s-1,比林外降低了2.7m.s-1;柽柳林平均风速为0.72m.s-1,比林外降低了2.31m.s-1。胡杨林比柽柳林对风的阻挡作用强。

塔里木河中游洪水漫溢区荒漠河岸林实生苗更新

以塔里木河中游荒漠河岸林为研究对象,2008年6月至2009年8月,对洪水漫溢区河漫滩裸地、林下及林隙3种生境植物1年生实生苗进行了调查。结果表明:实生苗更新主要依赖洪水漫溢,在非漫溢区没有发现实生苗存在;洪水降低了漫溢区的土壤盐度,更重要的是其提供了宝贵的水分条件,在时间和水量上有效地满足了胡杨等植物种子萌发和幼株生长的水分需求;河漫滩是河岸林种子实生苗产生的基地,洪水漫溢后的河漫滩种子实生苗密度显著大于其余两生境内实生苗密度,同时该生境内物种多样性也显著高于林下和林隙生境;光照决定着漫溢区实生苗能否成林,光照不同的空间样点上,实生苗发生数量和个体生长均存在显著差异,光照强的河漫滩,实生苗发生数量较多且幼苗能保持较高的生长活力和较多的生物量积累。

极端干旱区荒漠河岸林胡杨生长季树干液流变化

应用热脉冲技术和自动气象站对极端干旱区荒漠河岸林建群种胡杨(Populus euphraticaOliv.)的树干的液流流速及其环境因子进行了为期2a的连续观测,对胡杨树干液流日、季变化及其与环境因子相关性进行了深入的研究。结果表明:胡杨树干液流速率日变化具有明显的昼夜节律性。白天树干液流流速变化曲线呈多峰型。夜间,胡杨同样存在明显的树干液流现象,这主要是由根压引起的。胡杨树干液流速率7月最高,6月、8月次之,9月液流速率高于5月,10月最小,主要生长期6—8月胡杨日均蒸腾量占整个生长季的70%以上。不同林龄的胡杨树干液流速率不同,表现为15龄>25龄>50龄。树干液流量变化与环境因子中气象因子的变化密切相关。逐步回归结果表明,液流速率与净辐射、空气温度、空气相对湿度呈显著线性相关,同时给出了依据常规气象因子估算液流速率的统计模型。

荒漠河岸林胡杨群落特征对地下水位梯度的响应

依据塔里木荒漠河岸林胡杨群落的实地调查资料与地下水位监测数据,应用多元统计法、Hill与β多样性指数测度法,研究优势种胡杨种群数量特征沿地下水位梯度的变化规律及其相互关系,探讨群落物种多样性对地下水位梯度的生态响应。结果表明,运用系统聚类法将荒漠河岸林不同地下水位的胡杨群落划归为3类,优势种群胸径、冠幅、盖度、密度、死亡率与地下水位呈极显著相关(P<0.01)。随地下水位降低,优势种长势减弱,枯死率显著增大,种群退化。Hill多样性随地下水位梯度呈现3个明显不同的变化阶段,其中地下水位4—6 m时,多样性指数锐减与曲线渐趋平直,物种多样性开始受损。Cody(β_c)、Whittaker(β_w)指数均随地下水位梯度增大而增大,Sorensen(β_s)指数则呈下降趋势;β_s、β_c、β_w与地下水位高差间均呈极显著相关(P<0.01),地下水位>4 m,β_c、β_w值显著增大而β_s值显著降低。综合以上分析,地下水位<4 m胡杨群落结构相似与共有种较多,优势种长势良好,其是优势种群生存的适宜生态水位;地下水位>4 m,群落物种多样性与伴生种减少,物种变化速率增大,生境异质性增强,优势种群数量特征变化明显,群落结构简化;地下水位6 m左右,植被退化,物种多样性锐减,优势种稀疏衰败。因此,塔里木荒漠河岸林植被恢复的合理生态地下水位应维持在4 m左右。

塔河源荒漠河岸林群落物种组成、结构与植物区系特征

为了更好地了解荒漠河岸林植被动态与生物多样性维持机制,于塔里木河干流源头荒漠河岸林内建立6个1 hm 2样地,对群落物种组成、数量特征和空间格局等进行综合分析。结果表明,塔河源荒漠河岸林群落结构简单、物种多样性低,共有物种12科15属16种,杨柳科重要值最大(28. 97%),是群落优势建群科。取样面积在0. 04 hm 2时,包括了87. 5%的物种;样地内稀有种和偶见种均占所有物种的12. 5%。植物区系贫乏,单种科、属多,温带成分占绝对优势,古地中海成分也占有重要地位,具典型温带区系性质。样地内 DBH ≥ 1 cm 的活木本个体有2497株,灰胡杨多度占92. 95%,胸高断面积和重要值最大,在群落中占绝对优势地位。群落内科、属、种的数量随植株高度级的增加而减少,垂直结构层次分明,由乔木层、灌木层和草本层构成。样地内所有树种平均胸径15. 57 cm,径级与高度级结构均呈偏正态分布,缺乏高度≤ 2 m的个体,群落更新不良。优势种灰胡杨、胡杨径级结构均呈单峰型,其中胡杨幼树出现断层,灰胡杨幼苗向幼树发展过程中死亡率极高(92. 56%),均为衰退型种群。两个优势种空间格局呈聚集分布,不同生境下随径级增大空间分布格局变化不同;且两个优势种在空间上相互排斥而占据不同生境,暗示着种间竞争与生境异质性是影响荒漠河岸林物种空间分布格局和物种共存的重要因素。

塔里木荒漠河岸林干扰状况与林隙特征

对塔里木河中游荒漠河岸林林隙基本特征和干扰状况进行了研究。结果表明:形成的林隙形状近似于椭圆形,椭圆长短轴比率在扩展林隙(EG)和冠空隙(CG)有所不同,平均分别为1.52和2.31;林隙密度约为62.5个/hm2,EG和CG在塔里木荒漠河岸林景观中的面积比例分别为69.52%和29.03%,干扰频率分别为1.45%/a和0.61%/a,林隙干扰返回间隔期约为164a。林隙大小结构表现出以小林隙为主的偏正态分布,EG大小40—200 m2,CG大小0—80 m2。林隙形成速率为1.30个.hm-2a-1,20—30 a前形成的林隙最多。林隙形成方式由树木折干+枯立形成的最为普遍,占形成木总数95.73%。林隙大多由2—5株形成木形成,而由4株形成木创造的林隙最多,平均每个林隙拥有形成木4.1株。林隙形成木主要为森林建群种,林隙形成木分布最多的径级在5—25 cm,高度在4—8 m,每株形成木所能形成的EG面积为27.12 m2,CG面积为11.32 m2。边缘木的径级结构呈正态分布,而高度结构呈偏左的正态分布,平均每个林隙拥有8.375株边缘木,林隙边缘木平均胸径比形成木平均胸径高73.1%,表明荒漠河岸林林隙干扰十分频繁,地下水位的持续下降是林隙形成的驱动力。