不同品种油茶细根时空分布动态

以赣无1、赣永5、长林4、长林40和赣447 等5个品种的油茶林为研究对象,采用微根管技术对0～40 cm土壤剖面的油茶细根进行了为期一年的观测,并分析了总根尖数(TRT)、平均根长密度(ARLD)、平均直径(ARD)的时空分布动态规律.结果表明: 2016年下半年,各品种的TRT和ARLD变化相对稳定,2017年上半年,各品种的TRT和ARLD变化幅度较大,尤其体现在赣无1与长林40中.赣无1的TRT和ARLD在2017年5月出现峰值,长林4的ARD在2017年3月出现峰值.赣无1的TRT和ARLD 以及长林4的ARD在整个观测期都显著大于其他品种.不同品种油茶细根在土层中的空间分布规律及动态变化存在明显差异,赣无1和赣447的细根主要分布在0～20 cm土层中,长林4和长林40的细根以20～40 cm土层居多,空间分布动态变化较其他3个品种稳定;赣永5的空间分布动态变化幅度较大,根量分布各土层无显著差异;长林4的ARD表现为20～40 cm土层>0～20 cm土层,其他品种的ARD在不同土层中无显著差异.赣无1的细根生物量最多,主要分布在上层;长林4的细根直径最粗,主要分布在下层.     

香果树根萌苗生长特性及影响因子分析

香果树(Emmenopterys henryi)为我国Ⅱ级野生保护植物,由于生境遭到破坏、过度开发利用以及种群自然更新能力差等原因,导致自然环境下香果树种群数量迅速衰减。运用方差分析、多重比较、主成分分析等方法,对自然环境下香果树种群的根萌苗生长状况及其主要影响因子进行了研究。结果表明:香果树根萌苗的数量随着苗龄的增长逐渐减少,1a根萌苗的死亡率最高;苗高和基径均随苗龄的增大呈指数增长;香果树根萌苗主要生长在母树东南方120°~150°(以正北方为0°按顺时针方向旋转,下同)位置、距母树树干2 m以内及直径2 cm、长度30 cm的露根上;根萌苗苗高受母树方位影响较小,受露根直径、露根长度以及与母树间距离的影响稍大;母树南向(168.75°)根萌苗的基径显著大于其它方向的根萌苗基径;与北向和南向相比,母树东向和西向根萌苗的冠幅较大;根萌苗苗高、基径和冠幅等形态指标均随着与母树树干间距离的增加而降低,但随着露根直径的增加各形态指标均呈先升高后降低的趋势(露根直径6.5 cm时苗高和基径达到最大值),随着露根长度的增加各形态指标呈先降低后升高的趋势;与树冠内根萌苗相比,香果树母树树冠外根萌苗的死亡率较高。主成分分析结果表明,随着林内光照条件的改善、土壤中有机质含量的增加、砾石覆盖率的增加以及适度的人为干扰均有利于香果树根萌苗的生长。因此,减小林冠郁闭度、增加人工抚育措施对维持香果树的种群发展、实现其种群自然更新具有重要作用。     

Comparison between clonal and sexual plantlets of Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr., a savanna tree species in Burkina Faso

An understanding of the proportion of true seedlings, seedling sprouts and root suckers in the forest is essential for directing the genetic composition of the future crop. We conducted a study to determine the difference between these plantlets of Detarium microcarpum based on morphological characters and carbohydrate contents in leaves and roots. For individuals ≤50 cm in height, root suckers had the highest values for height, stem length, internode number, root diameter, rachis length and leaflet number. The concentrations of starch and total nonstructural carbohydrates in the roots of seedling sprouts were superior. Plantlets did not differ in the concentration of leaf carbohydrates. For individuals >50 cm in height, root suckers had larger values for stem length, root diameter, leaflet length and width. Roots of seedling sprouts showed higher concentrations of soluble sugars and total soluble sugars. True seedlings were distinguished from seedling sprouts and root suckers using all morphological traits except collar diameter and leaflet number. Root suckers and seedling sprouts showed a closer morphological resemblance; thus resulted in slightly more than 50% discrimination success. In conclusion, discrimination between seedling sprouts and root suckers appeared to be more difficult than between true seedlings and clonal plantlets.     

Analysis of the multi-stem clump structure ofLitsea japonica Juss. growing in a coastal dwarf forest

The multi-stem clump structure of a coastal dwarf forest dominated byLitsea japonica Juss. was investigated in order to clarify the sprouting characteristics and self-maintenance of clumps by stem alternation. The size and age distribution of multi-stem clumps were analyzed using cumulative relative frequency curves.L. japonica had a large number of stems and an even height distribution or young age-biased distribution of stems within a clump. These results indicated the sequential flushing of sprouts at high frequency. Height distribution within a clump ofL. japonica was relatively even compared to other species. This clump structure suggested the stable self-maintenance of individuals in all ranges of size and age without disturbances. It originated specific sprouting characteristics as a response to the severe stress of salty wind.Ardisia sieboldii Miq. had few stems within a clump. Although the stem height distribution of large individuals tended to be even, most clumps had a large size-biased distribution of stem height which indicated simultaneous sprouting. From this structure, sprouts of this species were thought to be of less significance in the stable self-maintenance of individuals thanL. Japonica.     

Estimating the heights and diameters at breast height of trees in an urban park and along a street using mobile LiDAR

Because trees can positively influence local environments in urban ecosystems, it is important to measure their morphological characteristics, such as height and diameter at breast height (DBH). However, measuring these data for each individual tree is a time-consuming process that requires a great deal of manpower. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of using mobile LiDAR to estimate tree height and DBH along urban streets and in urban parks. We compared measurements from a mobile LiDAR unit with field measurements of tree height and DBH in urban parks and streets. The height-above-ground and Pratt circle fit methods were applied to calculate tree height and DBH, respectively. The LiDAR-estimated tree heights were highly accurate albeit slightly underestimated, with a root mean square error of 0.359 m for the street trees and 0.462 m for the park trees. On the other hand, the estimated DBHs were moderately accurate and overestimated, with a root mean square error of 3.77 cm for the street trees and 8.95 cm for the park trees. Densely planted trees in the park and obstacles in urban areas result in “shadows” (areas with no data), reducing accuracy. Irregular trunk shapes and scanned data that did not include full data point coverage of every trunk were the reasons for the errors. Despite these errors, this study highlights the potential of tree measurements obtained with mobile terrestrial LiDAR platforms to be scaled up from point-based locations to neighborhood-scale and city-scale inventories.

     

Juvenile sprouting ability of the endangered maple, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acer pycnanthum</Emphasis>

Japanese red maple, Acer pycnanthum, is an endangered species having a limited distribution of central Honshu, Japan. Sprouting is an important part of its natural history, and many remnant populations contain high number of multiple-stem clones. However, knowledge of sprout formation and growth is lacking, which has hampered understanding of the reestablishment process after major disturbance. My research objectives were to characterize the formation and growth of basal sprouts in the juvenile stage and determine the effects of light intensity and stump diameter on these characteristics. Twenty sprouting clones were investigated at a natural site in Nagano Prefecture during a four-year period after cutting. Japanese red maple exhibited abundant and vigorous sprouting from the root collar of cut trees. Many sprouts arose immediately after cutting. Average number of sprouts per stump was 12.2. Number of sprouts per stump was negatively correlated with relative light intensity. The two dominant sprouts (sprouts 1 and 2) of each clone were selected to analyze their growth. The average extension growth of sprout 1 (i.e., the tallest and most vigorous) was 173.3 cm at the end of first growing season. At the end of fourth growing season, average height and diameter at breast height (dbh) of sprout 1 were 377 and 2.1 cm, respectively. Relative light intensity and stump diameter significantly and positively affected D²H (diameter at breast height squared × height) of sprout 1. Because the growth rate of sprouts is much faster than that of seedlings, regeneration by sprouting is more significant than seedling regeneration to maintain populations after disturbances.     

Physical site characteristics of wetland ecosystems dominated by the endangered maple, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acer pycnanthum</Emphasis>

Japanese red maple, Acer pycnanthum, is an endangered species having a limited distribution of central Honshu, Japan. Sprouting is an important part of its natural history, and many remnant populations contain high number of multiple-stem clones. However, knowledge of sprout formation and growth is lacking, which has hampered understanding of the reestablishment process after major disturbance. My research objectives were to characterize the formation and growth of basal sprouts in the juvenile stage and determine the effects of light intensity and stump diameter on these characteristics. Twenty sprouting clones were investigated at a natural site in Nagano Prefecture during a four-year period after cutting. Japanese red maple exhibited abundant and vigorous sprouting from the root collar of cut trees. Many sprouts arose immediately after cutting. Average number of sprouts per stump was 12.2. Number of sprouts per stump was negatively correlated with relative light intensity. The two dominant sprouts (sprouts 1 and 2) of each clone were selected to analyze their growth. The average extension growth of sprout 1 (i.e., the tallest and most vigorous) was 173.3 cm at the end of first growing season. At the end of fourth growing season, average height and diameter at breast height (dbh) of sprout 1 were 377 and 2.1 cm, respectively. Relative light intensity and stump diameter significantly and positively affected D²H (diameter at breast height squared × height) of sprout 1. Because the growth rate of sprouts is much faster than that of seedlings, regeneration by sprouting is more significant than seedling regeneration to maintain populations after disturbances.     

Spatial distribution of ant mounds and effects on soil physical properties in wetlands of the Sanjiang plain, China

Ants constitute a dominant element of soil mesofauna due to their biomass, abundance, richness of species and distribution within terrestrial ecosystems. They are important regulators of soil aggregate structure as they translocate large amounts of soil from the bottom to the soil surface. In doing so, they form biogenic structures (BS) made up of aggregates of different sizes and characteristics, i.e. ant mounds. These BS have varying characteristics according to the ant species and the soil where they carry their activities. Ants are considered soil engineers because of their effects on soil properties, availability of resource and flow of energy and nutrients in soil. Thus, it is important to gain information on their distribution and abundance. Relatively little is known about the spatial distribution of mounds and their role in the soil physical properties in wetlands of the Sanjiang plain, China. We conducted a survey of ant mounds and measured the density, height, and diameter and material composition of different ant mounds. The ecological characteristics of wetlands that ant mounds wide occurrence were also investigated, including soil type, hydrology characters and plant composition. Differences in soil particle composition, bulk density and soil moisture between ant mound and natural meadow were measured to assess the influences of ant mounds on soil physical properties. We also studied the effects of ant mounds on the microtopography of meadows. Ant mounds were found mainly in the transition zone between terrestrial and aquatic habitats, with wetland type, including Calamagrostis augustifolia wet meadow, C.augustifolia marsh meadow, shrubs marsh meadow and Carexmeyeriana–Carexappendiculata wetland, being a significant factor. Most of the mounds detected were inhabited by Lasius flavus Fabricius, Lasius niger Linnaeus and Formica sanguinea Latreille, which occupied 52.9%, 26.5% and 20.6% of the mounds surveyed, respectively. The density, height, diameter and mound composition were significantly different among the mounds of F. sanguinea Latreille, L. flavus Fabricius and L. niger Linnaeus. The average density and diameter of L. flavus mounds was significantly higher than those of other ant mounds. The average height of F. sanguinea mounds was highest among the mounds detected. Mound building activities changed soil particle size distribution, with the silt and clay content of mounds higher than for non-mound soil. Compared with adjacent, non-mound soil, the bulk density (0–30 cm) and water content (0–25 cm) of mound soil were significantly lower, but there were no significant differences between the mound soil of F. sanguinea Latreille and L. flavus Fabricius. The spatial distribution of ant mounds with different height and diameter also changed the micro-geomorphology of the soil surface, increasing the degree of fluctuation of the microtopography. The ant distribution characteristics and their ecological roles respond to a wide range of environmental alterations. The biogenic structures of ant and the specific environment associated with them have been defined as the “functional domain”, a sphere of influence that may significantly affect soil processes at certain spatial and temporal scales. Our results suggest that the distribution and structure of ant mounds can indicate wetland environmental changes, with mounds influencing ecosystem functions and enhancing wetland degradation.     

Secondary osteon size and collagen/lamellar organization (“osteon morphotypes”) are not coupled,but potentially adapt independently for local strain mode or magnitude

In bone, matrix slippage that occurs at cement lines of secondary osteons during loading is an important toughening mechanism. Toughness can also be enhanced by modifications in osteon cross-sectional size (diameter) for specific load environments; for example, smaller osteons in more highly strained “compression” regions vs. larger osteons in less strained “tension” regions. Additional osteon characteristics that enhance toughness are distinctive variations in collagen/lamellar organization (i.e., “osteon morphotypes”). Interactions might exist between osteon diameter and morphotype that represent adaptations for resisting deleterious shear stresses that occur at the cement line. This may be why osteons often have a peripheral ring (or “hoop”) of highly oblique/transverse collagen. We hypothesized that well developed/distinct “hoops” are compensatory adaptations in cases where increased osteon diameter is mechanically advantageous (e.g., larger osteons in “tension” regions would have well developed/distinct “hoops” in order to resist deleterious consequences of co-existing localized shear stresses). We tested this hypothesis by determining if there are correlations between osteon diameters and strongly hooped morphotypes in “tension”, “compression”, and “neutral axis” regions of femora (chimpanzees, humans), radii (horse, sheep) and calcanei (horse, deer). The results reject the hypothesis—larger osteons are not associated with well developed/distinct “hoops”, even in “tension regions” where the effect was expected to be obvious. Although osteon diameter and morphotype are not coupled, osteon diameters seem to be associated with increased strain magnitudes in some cases, but this is inconsistent. By contrast, osteon morphotypes are more strongly correlated with the distribution of tension and compression.     

Codominance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acer saccharum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus grandifolia</Emphasis>: the role of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus</Emphasis> root sprouts along a slope gradient in an old-growth forest

We studied how the unusual capacity of mature Fagus grandifolia to form clumps of clonal stems from root sprouts can contribute to its frequent codominance with Acer saccharum in southern Quebec, Canada. In an old-growth forest, the degree of dominance by the two species shifted along topographic gradients spanning a few hundreds of meters, with Fagus more frequent on lower slopes and Acer on upper slopes. The frequency distribution of Fagus stem diameter had an inverse J distribution at all slope positions, which is indicative of continuous recruitment. Acer stem diameter also had an inverse J pattern, except at lower slope positions where size structure was discontinuous. For stems <2 m tall, Fagus regenerated mainly by sprouts at the upper and mid-slopes, while regeneration from seed was more pronounced on the lower slope. This change of regeneration mode affected the spatial pattern of Fagus stems. Understory trees of Fagus were positively correlated with conspecific canopy trees on upper and mid-slopes, but not on lower slopes where Fagus regenerated mainly by seedlings. Understory trees of Acer were positively correlated with conspecific canopy trees only on the mid-slope. There were many Fagus seedlings around Acer canopy trees at the lower slope, suggesting the potential replacement of Acer canopy trees by Fagus. This study suggests that the regeneration traits of the two species changed with slope position and that Fagus patches originating from root sprouts can contribute to the maintenance of Acer–Fagus codominance at the scale of local landscapes.     

Ultrastructural pattern of the nucleus of Entamoeba coli

The ultrastructural organization model of the nucleus of Entamoeba coli, as outlined on the basis of our electron microscope research, shows the following characteristics: (1) karyosome located eccentrically in the nucleoplasm (in the equatorial sections of the nucleus), the heterochromatin laid out in rough, tangled sinuous bands; (2) “ball of thread-like” formations at the level of the heterochromatin border; and (3) circular dark bodies falling into two morphological types on account of their size, the “larger inclusions” type being morphologically similar to the “button bodies” of Entamoeba histolytica according to Ludwik &; Shipstone (1970). Characteristic organized clumps of these structures have not been described before and are especially evident in the cystic nuclei. These findings are discussed in relation to the nuclear organization pictures given by E. histolytica, E. moshkovskii, and E. invadens under the electron microscope.     

湖北梁子湖流域社会生态系统可持续发展的“安全公正空间”

近年来日益增强的人类活动正逐步威胁着地球生态系统的健康发展,给区域可持续发展及环境保护带来了巨大的挑战。如何在社会经济发展的同时维持安全的生态环境？这是可持续发展研究的一个重要问题。本研究借鉴“安全公正空间”理论框架,以长江中下游地区梁子湖流域为例,综合湖泊沉积记录、环境监测数据和社会经济数据,分析该区域内关键生态-环境过程的现状及居民社会福祉指标达成度(达成度指社会基础指标当前值相对于目标值的完成情况),构建了梁子湖流域社会生态系统可持续发展的“安全公正空间”。结果表明: 梁子湖流域内淡水利用、耕地资源、空气质量、水土保持和化学污染等指标超越了环境上限,处于“危险”状态,未来的环境管理中需重点调控;在社会福祉方面,清洁用水与卫生设施、产业创新维度的达成度相对较低;人均GDP与水土保持和空气质量呈显著负相关,体现了社会经济发展对水、土、气的负面效应。本研究借助多源环境数据,特别是湖泊沉积的长序列数据,有效再现了历史环境变化过程,揭示了流域社会生态系统管理中面临的环境及居民福祉短板,为区域可持续发展提供了重要的参考信息。     

巴丹吉林沙漠东缘天然梭梭种群空间分布异质性

梭梭(Haloxylon ammodendron(C.A.Mey.)Bunge)是生长于沙漠地区的一种特有灌木,在维持荒漠生态系统平衡和地区经济发展中发挥着不可替代的作用。为掌握天然梭梭种群空间分布规律,以巴丹吉林沙漠东缘塔木素地区的"野生肉苁蓉及梭梭产籽基地"为试验区,采用样线法测定梭梭株高、冠幅直径,统计梭梭分布密度,分析梭梭种群数量特征空间分布特征及其与生境之间的关系。结果表明:梭梭林密度、株高、冠幅直径均符合正态分布,表现为强度变异;株高、密度、冠幅直径的半方差函数理论模型均为高斯理论模型,其相应的变程为1249、909、1035 m;空间自相关比例均超过70%,受随机因素影响较小,保持着较好的天然分布和生长状态。梭梭种群数量特征的分形维数均大于1.5,空间依赖性强,空间结构性好。长期风蚀作用,小地形海拔高度体现为不同沙层厚度,梭梭株高、冠幅直径和密度在空间上的分布呈西高东低,北高南低的趋势,与海拔高度存在极显著相关;梭梭群落的空间异质性表现出一定的适度沙埋效应。     

云南哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林树种萌生特征研究

在云南省哀牢山徐家坝地区选择保存完好的原生林与20多年前受到砍伐的森林两种类型的样地。通过调查其中各树种的更新方式和萌生状况,探讨该地区砍伐林的主要恢复途径、树种的萌生特征。结果表明,在种子萌发、地面萌生和地上萌生三种更新方式中,地上萌生所占的比例最大,尤其是变色锥、木果柯、蒙自连蕊茶等树种。在砍伐林中,<0.5m残桩上的萌枝数量显著高于1～2m以及≥2m高的残桩;萌生位置距地面高度与全株高度之比(以下简称萌高比)<0.1处所具有的萌枝数量显著高于其它位置;而在原生林中,残桩高度对萌枝数量无影响,萌高比<0.1处所具有的萌枝数量显著高于萌高比为0.5～0.9处的。     

桂西南喀斯特山地蚬木幼龄植株的天然更新

分析了桂西南喀斯特山地蚬木幼龄植株的结构特征、空间分布格局和生长动态,以及影响其种群更新的环境因子.结果表明: 该区域的幼龄蚬木种群为稳定型,种群空间分布格局呈集群型分布;幼龄植株的地径和株高生长趋势相同,且地径随株高的增长而增加,实生苗的地径和株高生长受到种群密度的抑制;群落乔木和灌木层对蚬木幼龄植株的更新有重要影响,而草本层的影响不显著;岩石裸露率对蚬木天然更新未产生显著影响,不同坡度、坡位上蚬木幼龄植株的株高和地径的差异极显著,不同坡向植株的密度、株高和地径差异极显著.蚬木的天然更新受到物种的生物学特性,种内、种间竞争,生境异质性及人为干扰等因素的综合影响.     

Microenvironmental and vegetational heterogeneity induced by phytogenic nebkhas in an arid coastal ecosystem

The nebkhas of woody plants represent distinct habitats in arid and semiarid ecosystems. Nebkhas are mounds composed of wind-borne sediment within or around shrub canopies. We studied the effects of widely spaced nebkhas of Retama raetam shrub on their microenvironment and associated herbaceous vegetation in the Mediterranean coast of Sinai Peninsula. Our measurements included nebkha size (height and width) and shrub size (canopy height and diameter). We identified four distinct microsites at each nebkha: crest, mid-slope, edge, and internebkha space. We measured soil temperature and moisture, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and soil properties. The plant species grown at each microsite were identified and their densities were measured. Average soil temperature and PAR were highest at internebkha space and lowest at nebkha crest. The maximum diurnal temperature and PAR of internebkhas exceeded that of nebkhas. Soil moisture and nutrient concentrations showed a gradient of spatial heterogeneity and were highest at the nebkha edge. Regression analysis indicated that total herbaceous plant density was significantly related to nebkha size, and to shrub canopy diameter and area. Detrended correspondence analysis indicated that patterns of species composition were correlated with the spatial variability in soil moisture and nutrient content along the gradient of increasing distance from the nebkha crest. It is assumed that shrub canopy and its nebkha interact in governing ecosystem functioning in this environment.     

Cross-validation of Non-linear Growth Functions for Modelling Tree Height–Diameter Relationships

Six non-linear growth functions were fitted to tree height–diameter data of ten conifer species collected in the inland Northwest of the United States. The data sets represented a wide range of tree sizes, especially large-sized trees. According to the model statistics, the six growth functions fitted the data equally well, but resulted in different asymptote estimates. The model prediction performance was evaluated using Monte Carlo cross-validation or data splitting for 25-cm diameter classes. All six growth functions yielded similar mean prediction errors for small- and middle-sized trees. For large-sized trees [e.g. DBH (diameter at breast height)>100 cm], however, five of the six growth functions (except the Gompertz function) overestimated tree heights for western white pine, western larch, Douglas-fir, subalpine fir, and ponderosa pine, but underestimated tree heights for western hemlock and Engelmann spruce. Among these five functions, the Korf/Lundqvist and Exponential functions produced larger overestimations. The Schnute, Weibull, and Richards functions were superior in prediction performance to others. The Gompertz function seemed always to underestimate tree heights for large-sized trees.     

岷江上游干旱河谷引种番麻的生态适应性及生物量预测模型

以岷江上游干旱河谷地区引种的番麻为研究对象,通过对不同海拔番麻的株高、冠幅、单株叶片数以及萌芽数等生长指标的调查研究结果,了解其在干旱河谷区的生长分布上限,为该地区与类似地区引种该品种相关物种提供理论依据;同时,利用株高等简单生长指标与番麻生物量的关系进行拟合,建立预测方程.通过高度、冠幅、单株叶片数、萌芽数(株/100m2)等生长指标比较表明,番麻的最适生长区为海拔1400～1500m.在干旱河谷阳坡的生长上限为海拔1800m,往上仅能成活,不能自身繁殖.根据番麻的株高、冠幅、叶片数等简单生长指标与生物量呈显著相关(P＜0.01),分别建立了相应的回归模型,其中地上生物量和单株生物量的最优回归模型R2值均在0.90以上,地下生物量的最优回归模型R2值也在0.75以上.     

Fine-scale spatial distribution of leaves and shoots of two chalk grassland perennials

The fine-scale spatial distribution of leaves and shoots of Brachypodium pinnatum and Carex flacca, two rhizomatous graminoids, was investigated in two chalk grasslands in South Limburg (The Netherlands). The objective was to examine whether leaves and shoots of Brachypodium, a dominant species, had a regular distribution on a small scale, as has been suggested for other clonal species that form high-density stands. Patterns were compared to Carex, which is never found to be as abundant as Brachypodium.The number of shoots and leaf contacts were counted in small quadrats, grouped in a grid. Using Moran's I analysis for autocorrelation, it appeared that leaves and shoots of both species were arranged in clumps, and that these clumps were randomly distributed across the soil surface. Shoot clumps in Carex were smaller in diameter and not as pronounced as those in Brachypodium.In most cases, patterns of leaves and shoots were positively correlated, indicating that leaves were predominantly positioned above and around the groups of quadrats where the shoots were attached. However, in dense stands of Brachypodium the positions of leaf clumps were not correlated to those of shoot clumps. This is a result of the tall growth form of this species and its high shoot densities, and it is suggested that this will be a characteristic of any species that dominates a dense stand.     

Characteristics and spatial heterogeneity of Tamarix ramosissima Nebkhas in desert-oasis ecotones

We investigated the morphological characteristics of Tamarix ramosissima Nebkhas in the desert-oasis ecotones that were located in Jinta County and Ejin, China. Also, we quantitatively analyzed the relationships among the morphological parameters, spatial pattern and spatial heterogeneity. The results indicate that (1) Most of Tamarix ramosissima Nebkhas is of independent type. The average values of Nebkhas height, volume and plant canopy diameter in the Gobi are smaller than those in the desert, whereas the average values of plant height and coverage are on the contrary. All parameter values in Ejin are larger than those in Jinta. (2) There are linear relationships between the long and the short axes, and the volume and the plant canopy diameter of the Tamarix ramosissima Nebkhas. The regression curve of Nebkhas height and area is parabolic, and that of the plant height and canopy diameter is parabolic in the Gobi while linear in the desert. (3) The spatial pattern shows a mosaic pattern in the Gobi, while it forms Nebkhas chain distribution along the wind orientation in the desert. (4) The spatial heterogeneity is mostly caused by the non-stochastic reason, and it is higher in Ejin than in Jinta. In addition, the conclusions indicate that the stimulative action of deep sand bury, caused by high strength aeolian accumulation, to the growth of Tamarix ramosissima and the feedback effect between Tamarix ramosissima and Nebkha are the adaptability mechanisms of Tamarix ramosissima Nebkhas.