关键词: 泡泡刺种群, 分布格局, 生境, 空间自相关性

Abstract: The theory of spatial ecology and geostatistics techniques are used to study the spatial pattern of Nitraria sphaerocarpa population and its dynamics in the different habitats. The results show that Nitraria sphaerocarpa population appears patch distribution and it is controlled by climate condition at the larger scales. But at the smaller scales, habitat conditions have significant impact on its spatial distribution. For example, the characteristics of Nitraria sphaerocarpa population on the Gobi desert are smaller patch, larger density and shorter distance of spatial autocorrelation, but that on sand habitat are contrary. Additionally, shrub dunes of Nitraria sphaerocarpa are generally formed through four accesses: seed germination, sucker propagation, larger patch falling into pieces and smaller patch combining through sand-bury. Sand-bury and groundwater decreasing not only broaden the ecological niche of Nitraria sphaerocarpa population, but also are the driving-force of the population dynamic.

Key words: Nitraria sphaerocarpa population, spatial pattern, habitat, spatial autocorrelation