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Chronosequence-based population structure and natural regeneration of Haloxylon ammodendron plantation in the southern edge of the Gurbantunggut Desert, Northwestern China

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Abstract

In the Gurbantunggut Desert of Northwestern China, we surveyed the population structure and regeneration characteristics of six Haloxylon ammodendron plantations based on chronosequencing. The results showed that the age class of an individual H. ammodendron plant from youngest to oldest showed growth potential under the present environment. The optimal termination stage of H. ammodendron occurred at 20 years of age, which was accompanied by a regeneration phase at 17 years. The H. ammodendron plantations started to regenerate after 7 years. The maximal height and basal stem diameter of a grade III seedling reached 1.2 m and 1.9 cm in a 17-year-old plantation. In a 33-year-old plantation, the transformation rate of the seedling from grade I to grade III increased up to 92.3%. Although the seedling bank was plentiful in the plantations, the replenishment of the canopy was not continuous and timely. Therefore, measures to further the stability and sustainability of H. ammodendron plantation were necessary.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academic of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, P.R. China

    Qinghong Luo & Chengyi Zhao

  2. Institute of Afforestation and Sand Control, Xinjiang Academy of Forestry Sciences, Urumqi, 830063, P.R. China

    Qinghong Luo, Qimin Chen & Husen Ning

  3. Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, P.R. China

    Qimin Chen

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  1. Qinghong Luo
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  4. Chengyi Zhao
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Correspondence to Chengyi Zhao.

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Luo, Q., Chen, Q., Ning, H. et al. Chronosequence-based population structure and natural regeneration of Haloxylon ammodendron plantation in the southern edge of the Gurbantunggut Desert, Northwestern China. Russ J Ecol 48, 364–371 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1067413617040130

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