Population structure and dynamics of Haloxylon ammodendron on parabolic dunes in Ebinur Lake watershed

doi:10.17521/cjpe.2025.0218

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims Haloxylon ammodendron, a key shrub species for stabilizing parabolic dunes in the Ebinur Lake watershed, exhibits exceptional tolerance to wind erosion and sand burial, along with robust ecological adaptability. Investigating its population structure and dynamics provides valuable scientific guidance for conserving H. ammodendron populations and promoting long-term ecological sustainability in the region.

Methods This study focuses on the H. ammodendron population inhabiting the parabolic dunes within the Ebinur Lake watershed. Based on field surveys, population dynamics are quantified using diameter class as a proxy for age class. The age structure is analyzed through static life tables, survival curves, and survivorship functions, while future population trends are projected using time-series models.

Important findings The current age structure of H. ammodendron populations exhibits a pyramidal distribution, characterized by a higher number of juvenile individuals than mature ones, indicating strong regenerative capacity. The survival curve of the population conforms to the Deevey-II type, suggesting that mortality risk is relatively constant across the life cycle. Significant fluctuations are observed in population dynamic indices between adjacent age classes. However, the population dynamic index excluding external disturbances (V_pi) is substantially higher than that including them (V'_pi), with values of V_pi (35.17%) > V'_pi (1.95%) > 0, and V'_pi approaching 0. Overall, the population exhibits a growing trend, but demonstrates limited resistance to disturbance. The survival rate decreases monotonically with increasing age, whereas cumulative mortality increases correspondingly. The hazard rate exceeds the corresponding survival rate at all ages, indicating a tendency of population decline in later life stages. Time-series projections show that over the next 2, 4, 6, and 8 age classes, the numbers of middle- and high-aged individuals will increase, while younger age classes are expected to provide substantial recruitment during mid- to late-growth phases. In summary, the H. ammodendron populations inhabiting parabolic dunes in the Ebinur Lake watershed represent a growing population type and exhibit considerable growth potential. Their development is significantly influenced by regional environmental conditions; therefore, the implementation of appropriate protective measures is recommended to enhance survival and promote natural regeneration.

Key words: Ebinur Lake watershed, Haloxylon ammodendron, population structure, static life table, survival curve, time series

CHEN Peng-Peng, WU Sheng-Li, ZHANG Yan, XIAO Jia-Qi, HUANG Lu-Rui, SHI Hui-Jie. Population structure and dynamics of Haloxylon ammodendron on parabolic dunes in Ebinur Lake watershed[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2026, 50(4): 937-946.

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URL: https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/10.17521/cjpe.2025.0218

https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/Y2026/V50/I4/937

Figures/Tables 8

Fig. 1 Overview of the Ebinur Lake Basin study area.

Fig. 2 Schematic diagram of parabolic dune survey plots in the Ebinur Lake Basin. Black dots indicate the locations of sampling points.

Fig. 3 Age-class structure of the Haloxylon ammodendron population on parabolic dunes in Ebinur Lake watershed.

Table 1 Dynamic change index of the age-class structure of the Haloxylon ammodendron population on parabolic dunes in Ebinur Lake watershed

龄级 Age class	动态指数级 Dynamic index class	种群动态指数 Population dynamic index (%)
I-II	V₁	20.96
II-III	V₂	27.27
III-IV	V₃	51.56
IV-V	V₄	61.29
V-VI	V₅	61.11
VI-VII	V₆	42.86
VII-VIII	V₇	62.50
VIII-IX	V₈	33.33
	V_pi	35.17
	V′_pi	1.95
	P_max	5.55

Table 2 Time-series prediction of population dynamics for the Haloxylon ammodendron population on parabolic dunes in Ebinur Lake watershed

龄级 Age class	原始数据 Primary data	M₂⁽¹⁾	M₄⁽¹⁾	M₆⁽¹⁾	M₈⁽¹⁾
I	334
II	264	299
III	192	228
IV	93	143	221
V	36	65	146
VI	14	25	84	156
VII	8	11	38	101
VIII	3	6	15	58	118
IX	2	3	7	26	77

Table 3 Static life table of the main sand-fixing Haloxylon ammodendron population on parabolic dunes in Ebinur Lake watershed

龄级 Age class	n_x	l_x	lnl_x	d_x	L_x	T_x	q_x	e_x	K_x	S_x
I	334	1 000	6.908	210	895	2 329	0.210	2.33	1.04	0.79
II	264	790	6.673	216	683	1 434	0.273	1.81	1.05	0.73
III	192	575	6.354	296	427	751	0.516	1.31	1.13	0.48
IV	93	278	5.629	171	193	325	0.613	1.17	1.20	0.39
V	36	108	4.680	66	75	132	0.611	1.22	1.25	0.39
VI	14	42	3.736	18	33	57	0.429	1.36	1.18	0.57
VII	8	24	3.176	15	16	24	0.625	1.00	1.45	0.38
VIII	3	9	2.195	3	7	7	0.333	0.78	1.23	0.67
IX	2	6	1.790	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

Fig. 4 Survival curve of the Haloxylon ammodendron population on parabolic dunes in Ebinur Lake watershed. lnlx represents the natural logarithm of the standardized individual survival count.

Fig. 5 Survival function curves of the Haloxylon ammodendron population on parabolic dunes in Ebinur Lake watershed. F(i), cumulative mortality; f(ti), mortality density; S(i), survival probability; λ(ti), hazard rate.

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