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\begin{document}

\title{Variation of two Haloxylon species along a gradient of groundwater depth
at the transition zone between desert and oasis}



\author[1]{Xue Wu}%
\author[2]{Gui-Qing Xu}%
\author[2]{Yan Li}%
\affil[1]{Xinjiang University}%
\affil[2]{Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography}%


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  \date{June 18, 2024}


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\begin{abstract}
Haloxylon species were dominant vegetation components of deserts across
Central Asia, considering as typical desert plants. Recent studies based
on stable isotope showed that they are groundwater-dependent plants, but
their tolerance strategies and limits to groundwater variation remain
unknown. We adopted the method of spatial-for-temporal, took Haloxylon
ammodendron and H. persicum in Gurbantunggut Desert in Central Aisa as
study objects, combined field survey with model estimation exploring
their quantity, structure, age, and biomass characteristics along a
natural groundwater gradient, aiming to reveal responses to groundwater
depth changes and predict their future development. The results showed
that: (1) Along the groundwater gradient, the stand density, and plant
height, canopy width, and basal diameter of two species all decreased
significantly. (2)When the groundwater depth descended to lower than
12 m, H. persicum replaced H. ammodendron becoming the more dominant
species. (3) As the groundwater depth declined, the dominant diameter
class of H. ammodendron increased, its percentage of adult individuals
increased, but H. persicum was always dominated by young trees. (4) The
above-ground, below-ground and total biomass of two species were all
going down with the lowering of groundwater table, especially those of
H. ammodendron exhibited a much sharper decline, while the root-to-shoot
ratio of H. persicum increased more significantly (p \textless{} 0.05).
These findings indicated that continuous decline in groundwater depth
greatly limited the survival and development of H. ammodendron, the
strong allocation regulation of H. persicum helped to cushion the
adverse effects at a certain extent. In the long run, decreased
accessibility of groundwater would be not conducive to their various
ecological roles. The obtained results in this study could provide a
scientific basis for the protection and management of these valuable
species.%
\end{abstract}%



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