Characteristics and spatial heterogeneity of Tamarix ramosissima Nebkhas in desert-oasis ecotones

We investigated the morphological characteristics of Tamarix ramosissima Nebkhas in the desert-oasis ecotones that were located in Jinta County and Ejin, China. Also, we quantitatively analyzed the relationships among the morphological parameters, spatial pattern and spatial heterogeneity. The results indicate that (1) Most of Tamarix ramosissima Nebkhas is of independent type. The average values of Nebkhas height, volume and plant canopy diameter in the Gobi are smaller than those in the desert, whereas the average values of plant height and coverage are on the contrary. All parameter values in Ejin are larger than those in Jinta. (2) There are linear relationships between the long and the short axes, and the volume and the plant canopy diameter of the Tamarix ramosissima Nebkhas. The regression curve of Nebkhas height and area is parabolic, and that of the plant height and canopy diameter is parabolic in the Gobi while linear in the desert. (3) The spatial pattern shows a mosaic pattern in the Gobi, while it forms Nebkhas chain distribution along the wind orientation in the desert. (4) The spatial heterogeneity is mostly caused by the non-stochastic reason, and it is higher in Ejin than in Jinta. In addition, the conclusions indicate that the stimulative action of deep sand bury, caused by high strength aeolian accumulation, to the growth of Tamarix ramosissima and the feedback effect between Tamarix ramosissima and Nebkha are the adaptability mechanisms of Tamarix ramosissima Nebkhas.