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Journal of Desert Research ›› 2018, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (2): 315-323.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2017.00103

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Population Structure Characteristics of Population euphratica in the Lower Reaches of Tarim River

Zhou Yingying1,2, Chen Yaning2, Zhu Chenggang2, Chen Yapeng2, Chen Xiaolin2,3   

  1. 1. College of Geography and Tourism, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi 830054, China;
    2. State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China;
    3. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
  • Received:2017-07-22 Revised:2017-10-27 Online:2018-03-20 Published:2018-03-20

Abstract: Population structure characteristics can reflect the living conditions and future trends of one population. In this paper, we investigated the living status of Populus euphratica in the lower reaches of Tarim River, after years of ecological water conveyances to restore the ecosystem. The population density, age structure, sex ratio structure and spatial structure of P. euphratica were analyzed based on field investigation. The results indicated that the pattern of age structure of P. euphratica in the lower reaches of Tarim River followed the "inverted pyramid" pattern. The population dynamics index, population density, had similar patterns with that of the age structure, indicating the declining trend of P. euphratica will continue. The P. euphratica was significantly male-biased, and this deviation increased with the deterioration of habitats. The distribution pattern of P. euphratica showed a significant cluster distribution with no intensity difference among them. After 18 years, ecological water conveyances, the degradation trends of the P. euphratica distributed far from the river have not yet completely reversed although the ecological conditions near the river have improved. The ecological water conveyances along a natural river channel created a too narrow flooded area to improve the population regeneration rates. Therefore, during the processes of ecological water conveyances, artificial measures are suggested to be taken to extend the flooded area to provide conditions for the reproduction and regeneration of the P. euphratica.

Key words: Tarim River, Populus euphratica, age structure, sex ratio structure, distribution pattern

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