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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2025, Vol. 61 ›› Issue (4): 92-103.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.LYKX20240225

• Research papers • Previous Articles    

Population Structure and Dynamic Characteristics of Ephedra equisetina, Nitraria roborowskii and Nitraria sibirica Distributed in Great Gobi A Strictly Protected Area in Mongolia

Qin Aili1, Li Guangliang1, Magsar Urgamal2, Xue Yadong1, Javkhlan Nyamjav2, Li Jia3, Munkh-Erdene Batsaikhan2, Sun Ge1, Tuvshintogtokh Indree2, Xiao Wenfa1, Jin Kun1   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation of National Forestry and Grassland Administration　Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment of National Forestry and Grassland Administration　Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry　Beijing 100091;
    2. Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Mongolian Academy of Sciences　Ulaanbaatar 13330;
    3. Institute of Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Chinese Academy of Forestry　Beijing 100091
  • Received:2024-04-23 Revised:2024-06-28 Published:2025-04-21

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Abstract: Objective The aim of this paper was to elucidate the population density, age structure, quantity dynamics of Ephedra equisetina, Nitraria roborowskii and N. sibirica distributed in great Gobi A strictly protected area (GGSPA) in Mongolia, and predict their future development trend, so as to provide decision-making references for the protection and management of Ursus arctos gobiensis from the perspective of edible plants. Method Sample plots and transect lines were set up in the Atas Inges（AI）, Shar Khuls（SK） and Tsagaan Bogd（TB） oases and their surrounding areas of GGSPA based on the terrain and topography of the distribution of E. equisetina, N. roborowskii and N. sibirica, and the population structure of these three species was investigated. The methods of“space replacing time”and smoothing-out were applied to compile a specific time life tables for the three plant populations, and plot their survival and mortality curves. The population dynamics was analyzed through the quantitative analyses of populations, and finally the development trend was predicted by applying a time series model.Result 1) The population density of E. equisetina and N. roborowskii in AI was the highest, while the population density in SK was the lowest. The population density of N. sibirica in TB was the highest, while the population density in AI was the lowest. 2) At the current stage of succession, the populations of E. equisetina in AI, SK and TB were mainly composed of middle-aged individuals. The AI population showed a growing pattern, while the populations in SK and TB showed a declining pattern. All the populations of N. roborowskii and N. sibirica were mainly composed of young and middle-aged individuals, and showed a growing pattern. However, there was a significant shortage of seedlings in the population of N. roborowskii in SK and the population of N. sibirica in AI. 3) The survival curves of all the populations of E. equisetina and N. roborowskii, as well as the population of N. sibirica in AI showed the Deevey-Ⅱ type, while the survival curves of populations of N. sibirica in SK and TB exhibited the Deevey-Ⅰ type. 4) The mortality rates of all the populations of these three species showed a fluctuating upward trend with age. 5) Dynamic indexes and time series analyses showed that the population structures of E. equisetina in SK and TB were not stable enough, and the population in SK was highly sensitive to external random disturbances. The population structures of N. roborowskii and N. sibirica were stable, but all the populations were highly sensitive to external random disturbances. Conclusion At the current stage of succession, the populations of E. equisetina in SK and TB show a declining type and their population structure is unstable. The population in SK is highly sensitive to external random disturbances. The current population structures of N. roborowskii and N. sibirica are stable, but all the populations are highly sensitive to external random disturbances. The insufficient number of seedlings of the N. roborowskii population in SK and the N. sibirica population in AI would ultimately lead to population decline.

Key words: great Gobi A strictly protected area (GGSPA), Ephedra equisetina, Nitraria roborowskii, Nitraria sibirica, population structure, population dynamics

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