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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2022, Vol. 58 ›› Issue (3): 31-39.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20220304

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Characteristics of Plant Life-Form Spectrum and Elevation Gradients in the Areas of Dunhuang and Mazongshan

Fengmin Luo1,Zhiming Xin1,Junliang Gao1,Yonghua Li2,3,4,*,Xue Dong1,Ruibing Duan1,Xinle Li1   

  1. 1. Inner Mongolia Dengkou Desert Ecosystem National Observation Research Station National Long-Term Scientific Research Base of Comprehensive Control in Ulan Buh Desert Experimental Center of Desert Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry Dengkou 015200
    2. Institute of Desertification Studies, CAF Beijing 100091
    3. Kumtage Desert Ecosystem National Observation Research Station Dunhuang 736200
    4. Dunhuang Desert Ecosystem National Observation Research Station Dunhuang 736200
  • Received:2021-05-20 Online:2022-03-25 Published:2022-06-02
  • Contact: Yonghua Li

Abstract:

Objective: In this paper, the vegetation flora, plant life forms and their responses to altitude gradients were investigated in Dunhuang and Mazongshan, to clarify the life-form characteristics of plant communities and their reflections on climatic habitats. The main purpose of this study is to provide a theoretical basis and scientific basis for the protection of regional plant diversity and vertical pattern research. Method: On the basis of plant community investigation, the life forms of vascular plants in Dunhuang and Mazongshan were counted by using Raunkiaer life form classification system, and then the life form spectrum was prepared. The life form composition of plants at different altitude gradients was analyzed. Result: 1) A total of 217 species of plants were recorded in this study area, belonging to 34 families and 122 genera, accounting for 41.46% of the total families in arid areas of China and 10.09 % of the total families in China. Among them, there were 3 species of gymnosperm belonging to 1 family and 1 genus, 175 species of dicotyledon belonging to 96 genera and 28 families, and 38 species of monocotyledon belonging to 25 genus and 5 families. 2) The life forms of plants were mainly Chamaephytes in the study area, accounting for 33.18%. Suffruticose-chamaephytes had the greatest number among the four subgroups of Chamaephytes in the areas of Dunhuang and Mazongshan. The lifestyle sequence was: Chamaephytes > Hemicryptophytes > Therophytes > Cryptophytes > Phanerophytes. 3) The Chamaephytes species occupied an important position in all altitude gradients, accounting for 59.15% of all life form species in the study area. With the increase of altitude, the Chamaephytes first increased and then decreased, reaching a maximum at 1 700 m altitude. The Hemicryptophytes species also showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with the increase in altitude. The Phanerophytes and Cryptophytes species accounted for a small proportion. The therophytes accounted for less than 10.00% of the entire elevation gradients, and had little fluctuation with the increase of altitude. Conclusion: The regional vegetation is dominated by shrub or semi-shrub vegetation in the areas of Dunhuang and Mazongshan, which is mainly distributed at 1 000~3 000 m altitude. The community life forms are dominated by Chamaephytes and Hemicryptophytes, and show a single peak distribution pattern of first rising and then falling with the altitude gradient.

Key words: Dunhuang, Mazongshan, vegetation flora composition, plant community, plant life form, altitudinal gradient

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