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Annual plants in arid and semi-arid desert regions

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Frontiers of Biology in China

Abstract

Annual plants are the main vegetation in arid and semi-arid desert regions. Because of their unique traits, they are the optimal experimental subjects for ecological studies. In this article, we summarize annual plants’ seed germination strategies, seedling adaptability mechanism to environments, seed dispersal, and soil seed banks. We also discuss the biotic and abiotic factors affecting the composition and dynamics of annual plant populations and communities. Because annual plants have important ecological functions in desert vegetation systems, this study on annual plants will be of great benefit to the conservation and restoration of desert ecosystems, the rational utilization of resources, and the sustainable development of desert regions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China

    Xuehua Li, Xiaolan Li, Deming Jiang & Zhimin Liu

  2. Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China

    Xuehua Li & Xiaolan Li

  3. Environmental Protection Bureau of Chaoyang County, Chaoyang, 122000, China

    Qinghe Yu

Authors
  1. Xuehua Li
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  2. Xiaolan Li
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  3. Deming Jiang
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  4. Zhimin Liu
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  5. Qinghe Yu
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Correspondence to Xuehua Li.

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Translated from Chinese Journal of Ecology, 2006, 25(7): 851–856 [译自: 生态学杂志]

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Li, X., Li, X., Jiang, D. et al. Annual plants in arid and semi-arid desert regions. Front. Biol. China 3, 259–264 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11515-008-0054-6

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