Abstract:

In this paper, 50 species of desert plant in northwest area of China were studied. Applying to the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, we constructed the synthetic assessment system conservation grading of Chinese rare and endangered desert plants. In this system, there are 4 assessment indexes: B₁: Distribution, B₂: Taxonomic position, B₃:Biological index, B₄:Available value. The weight of each index is gotten through judged matrix according to AHP. The assessing value of distributive index and taxonomic index are based on each species distribution area and taxonomic position. The biological index assessing value is embodied from each species' belonging: tree, shrub, perennial herb or annual herb. There are 4 index variables to stand for available index assessing value, they are drug value, forage and edible avail, fuel avail and other avail. The quantitative study results indicate: 50 species of desert plants are divided into 4 conservation grading. The species belonging in the first conservation grading are Betula holophila, Ammopiptanthus nanus, Syringa pinnatifolia var.alashanica, Tamarix taklamakanensis, Tetraena mongolica, Colophaca soongoria and Hippolytia kaschgarica,occupying 14% of all 50 species; Gymnocarpos przewalskii and other 21 species are listed in second conservation grading, occupying 44% of the total; Holoxylon ammodendendron and other 18 species are listed in third conservation grading, occupying 38% of the total; Brachanthemum pulrinatum and Halimodendron halodendron are out of grading.

Key words: Rare and endangered, Desert plant, Assessment of conservation grading, AHP