Chin J Plan Ecolo ›› 1990, Vol. 14 ›› Issue (4): 366-372.

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

A Study on the Biomass of Tamarix Communities and Their Management and Utilization in Xinjiang

Li Hu-qun,Long Bu-yun,Zhou Rong-nian,Dai Jun,Lu Tian-ping,Hu Zhu-lan   

  • Published:1990-04-10
  • Contact: Liu De-yu

Abstract: There are more than ten species of Tamarix in Xinjiang.The main ecological types are. 1. The type adaptable to loam; it spreads over the depression along the river bank, and the lower part or the fringe of alluvial-diluvial fans. 2. The type adaptable to saline soil; it spreads over the fringe of the alluvial-diluvial fans or the delta, and the river terraces of the plain. 3. The types adaptable to sand; it spreads over the ancient alluvial plain or the upper part of the alluvial fans.The data of this study obtained from sampling points indicate that the correlation between the total biomass (WL) both above-and underground and the crown area(K) is significant. Forecasting models of the total biomass for the three types are. WL=-20.0672+25.4643K, WL=-77.4967+58.9092K, and WL=-19.176+29.9457K respectively; and their total biomasses, are 14.239, 15.558 and 3.6090t/ha-1 respectively; the ratios of the biomasses between above-ground and underground are 1:0.71, 1:0.81 and 1:2.09 respectively; the dendities of the bushes are 715.5, 120.0and 40.5 clumps/ha-1 respectively. In respect of the management and utilization of the Tamarix of the loam type, it can be used as a source of fire wood and for grazing. Rotational cutting may be carried out over divided regions, once every 3--5 years; for the saline soil type, it must be protected and utilized suitably by first cutting half of the clumps, and after 5 years cutting the other half, so as to prevent the soil from being desertified and salinized; for the sand type,it must be protected absolutely and digging of its roots for fuel must be strictly forbidden. For regeneration, the clumps can be cut only one-third of the total height, and after 5 to 10 years cut another two-thirds of it. The way to develop the Tamarix is to irrigate the low flat lands on which it grows and to combine natural with manual spreading of seeds.