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Journal of Desert Research ›› 2022, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (2): 104-112.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2021.00128

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Characteristics of shrub communities in the desert-steppe ecotone of Inner MongoliaChina

Zhaobin Song1(), Zhiming Xin2, Yajuan Zhu1()   

  1. 1.Institute of Desertification Studies / Institute of Ecological Conservation and Restoration,Chinese Academy of Forestry,Beijing 100091,China
    2.Experimental Center of Desert Forestry,Chinese Academy Forestry,Dengkou 015200,Inner Mongolia,China
  • Received:2021-08-06 Revised:2021-09-30 Online:2022-03-20 Published:2022-03-30
  • Contact: Yajuan Zhu

Abstract:

The desert-steppe ecotone is a transition area in which steppe is gradually replaced by desert. In this study, vegetation was investigated along desert-steppe ecotone from Alxa Left Banner to Urad Back Banner. Plant community structure and species diversity were analyzed to give theoretical support to biodiversity conservation. The results of the survey showed that there were 62 plant species, belonging to 18 families and 47 genera in desert-steppe ecotone of Inner Mongolia. There were more species in Poaceae,Chenopodiaceae,Fabaceae and Asteraceae. Plant species were mainly composed of shrub and perennial herb, and mainly consisted of xerophyte. The main communities included Reaumuria soongarica community, Zygophyllum xanthoxylon community, Ammopiptanthus mongolicus community, Nitraria tangutorum community and Artemisia xerophytica community etc. The importance value of constructive species and biomass were higher in steppe desert plant community. The coverage and density were higher in desert steppe plant community. The diversity and herb layer diversity of A. mongolicus community and R. soongarica community were higher in steppe desert. Shrub layer diversity of R. soongarica community was higher in steppe desert. The diversity of S. xanthoxylon community was highest in desert steppe. Herb layer diversity in R. soongarica community was highest in desert steppe. The similarity was low between different communities. It is suggested that shrub communities with constructive and "fertile island" effect should be protected primarily, while perennial herb should be considered in maintaining plant diversity of desert-steppe ecotone.

Key words: ecotone, species diversity, Reaumuria soongarica, Zygophyllum xanthoxylon

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