Distribution characteristics and factors influencing annual plants on the dune scale
Annual plants are unique organisms,and maintaining the stability of the desert ecosystem is of great significance.To understand the distribution characteristics of Gurbantunggut Desert annual herbaceous plants in the linear sand dunes and influencing factors,a 220 m × 110 m area of sand dunes in desert hinterland was investigated by examining 214 survey points of 5 m × 5 m.A detailed investigation of four kinds of annual plants was performed;a corresponding system analysis of the different species abundances in different slope positions,distribution patterns,and relationships with the environment was utilized.The results showed that Agriophyllum squarrosum are mainly distributed on the top of the sand dunes,and Ceratocarpus arenarius,Salsola ruthenica,and the Horaninowia ulicina exhibit a more random distribution in the slope and hill between the lowland.The abundance of each species in different slope positions and directions was different;A.squarrosum was most abundant at the highest point,and S.ruthenica was mostly concentrated in the leeward slope.The variance analysis showed that all species exhibited a moderate structural variation(34.5％～57.0％);Kriging interpolation points showed that the spatial distribution patterns of each species are different,but they all have obvious patchy and vertical distribution characteristics.Different factors affect the spatial distribution of different species,of which topography is the main factor affecting the distribution of A.squarrosum.C.arenarius,S.ruthenica,and H.ulicina distribution is mainly affected by the soil physical and chemical properties,and abundance increased with the increase in soil nutrients.The abundance of three kinds of annual plants showed a positive correlation with total nitrogen,total phosphorus,conductivity,and soil moisture content,and a negative correlation with pH,but this can explain only 8.89％～9.71％of the total variation.This study revealed the population spatial distribution features of annuals in the dunes and will help direct efforts to ensure desert biodiversity protection via plant sand-fixation measures.
longitudinal duneannual plantsdistribution characteristicsrelative heightslope position
万方数据
维普
