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Journal of Desert Research ›› 2024, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (2): 254-263.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2023.00174

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Niche characteristics and interspecific connection of dominant plants in the oasis desert transition zone at the northern foot of Tianshan Mountains

Yan Lu(), Wanping Wu, Yong Zeng   

  1. School of Geography and Tourism / Key Laboratory of Lake Environment and Resources in Arid Region,Xinjiang Normal University,Urumqi 830054,China
  • Received:2023-09-14 Revised:2024-01-06 Online:2024-03-20 Published:2024-03-19

Abstract:

The oasis desert transition zone at the northern foot of Tianshan Mountain has a fragile habitat. By revealing the ecological characteristics of vegetation in this area, we can then speculate on its succession trends, hoping to provide a theoretical basis or reference suggestions for ecological protection. Based on the investigation of 39 typical sites in research area, the dominant plant niche and interspecies connection are analyzed by important values, niche width, niche overlap, χ2 test, Pearson correlation test and Spearman rank correlation test. The results show that:(1) There are 28 dominant species in the study area, and the niche breadth was significantly different. There was no significant correlation between the niche breadth measurement results and the change trend of important values. The ecological width index of Alhagi camelorum, Ceratocarpus arenarius,Haloxylon ammodendron is large. The BL and BS of Alhagi camelorum are 12.11 and 2.77, are the largest. (2) The niche overlap index of dominant plants in the study area is generally small, the demand for environmental resources is not similar, and the interspecific competition is weak. Competitive relationshipbetween Cerastium fontanum and Trifolium repensPoa annua and Cerastium fontanum is obvious, and it is weak between Ceratocarpus arenarius and Poa annuaPoa annua and Alhagi camelorum. (3) The plant communities in the study area show no significant positive association. The three tests show that most species pairs had no significant relationship, and the species show an independent distribution pattern. The stability is relatively poor, and the correlation is relatively weak. It is in the early stage of succession, and the structure and function are not perfect. (4) The Pearson correlation coefficient and Spearman rank correlation coefficient between species are significantly positively correlated with the degree of niche overlap, which show that the stronger the positive (negative) association between species, the greater ( smaller ) the degree of niche overlap.

Key words: northern foot of Tianshan Mountains, oasis desert transition zone, interspecific connection of dominant plants, ecological niche

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