Vegetation coverage,species richness,and dune stability in the southern part of Gurbantünggüt Desert |
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Authors: | Yuyang Song Chaobin Zhou Wenhui Zhang |
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Institution: | (1) Key Laboratory of Education Ministry for Western Environment and Ecology, Northwest F&A University, 712100 Yangling, Shanxi, China;(2) Department of Forestry, Agricultural College, Xinjiang Shihezi University, 832003 Shihezi, Xinjiang, China; |
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Abstract: | This study investigated the relationship between vegetation coverage, species richness, and environmental factors, and also
analyzed the relationship between vegetation coverage, species richness, and dune stability in different terrains, in the
southern part of Gurbantünggüt Desert in China. The results showed that the order of vegetation coverage and species richness
was greatest in middle areas, followed by the eastern areas, with the western areas being sparse. On a large scale, precipitation
from April to June determined the amount of vegetation coverage. On a small scale, vegetation coverage was influenced by the
type of terrain and the water and salt content in soils. Species richness of vegetation was determined by soil water and salt
content on both the large and small scales. There were also remarkable differences in relative wind erosion among the different
terrains and their order was: crest, slope, and inter-dune in descending order. The correlations between wind erosion and
vegetation coverage and species richness were influenced by the type of terrain. Furthermore, there were significant correlations
between wind erosion and vegetation coverage and species richness in dune slopes and crests. There was, however, no significant
correlation between wind erosion and vegetation coverage and species richness in inter-dune sites. Vegetation coverage was
the dominant factor influencing wind erosion in both slopes and crests. Species richness may have an impact on wind erosion
through vegetation coverage in both slopes and crests. These results suggest that the effect of terrain type should be fully
considered during the establishment of vegetation cover in the desert. |
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Keywords: | |
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