Bio-geomorphologic features and growth process of Tamarix nabkhas in Hotan River Basin, Xinjiang

doi:10.1007/s11442-010-0205-y

Journal of Geographical Sciences ›› 2010, Vol. 20 ›› Issue (2): 205-218.doi: 10.1007/s11442-010-0205-y

• Geomorphology • Previous Articles Next Articles

Bio-geomorphologic features and growth process of Tamarix nabkhas in Hotan River Basin, Xinjiang

LI Zhizhong^1,2, WU Shengli², CHEN Shujiang², CHEN Xiuling¹, JIN Jianhui¹, LIU QI²

1. College of Geographical Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, China;
2. College of Geography Science and Tourism, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi 830054, China

Received:2009-04-13 Revised:2009-07-06 Online:2010-04-15 Published:2010-04-15
Contact: Wu Shengli (1977–), Associate Professor, E-mail: wushengli77@126.com E-mail:wushengli77@126.com
About author:Li Zhizhong (1962–), Professor, specialized in the study on environmental evolution and wind-sand geomorphology in arid area. E-mail: lizzfz@163.com
Supported by:
National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.40461002; The Key Project of the Ministry of Education, No.205184

Abstract

Abstract:

Tamarix nabkha is one of the most widespread nabkhas, distributing in the arid region of China. Based on the observations outdoors and the simulation experiments in laboratories, analysis in this paper refers to the biological geomorphologic features and growth process of Tamarix nabkhas in the middle and lower reaches of the Hotan River, Xinjiang. And the results indicate that the ecological type of Tamarix in the study area is a kind of Tugaic soil habitat based on the deep soil of the Populus Diversifolia forests and shrubs. This type of habitat can be divided into three kinds of sub-habitats which demonstrate the features of ecological environment of Tamarix nabkhas during the differential developed phases. Meanwhile, the Tamarix nabkha can exert intensified disturbance current on wind-sand flow on the ground, and its root and stems not only have strong potential of sprouting but are characteristic of wind erosion-tolerance, resistance to be buried by sand and respectively tough rigid of the lignified branches, for it has a rather longer life-time. Thus, the wind speed profile influenced by the Tamarix nabkha is different from the Phragmites nabkha and Alhagi nabkha. And the structure of the wind flow is beneficial to aeolian sand accumulating in/around Tamarix shrub，which can create unique Tamarix nabkhas with higher average gradient and longer periodicity of life. Tamarix nabkha evolution in the area experienced three stages: growth stage, mature and steady stage and withering stage. In each stage, morphological features and geomorphic process of Tamarix nabkha are different due to the discrepant interaction between the nabkha and aeolian sand flow.

Key words: Xinjiang, Tamarix, Nabkha, Hotan River Basin, biological geomorphology, development mechanism

LI Zhizhong, WU Shengli, CHEN Shujiang, CHEN Xiuling, JIN Jianhui, LIU QI. Bio-geomorphologic features and growth process of Tamarix nabkhas in Hotan River Basin, Xinjiang[J].Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2010, 20(2): 205-218.

References

[1] Ash J E, Wasson R H, 1983. Vegetation and sand mobility in the Australian desert dunefield. Zeitschrift fur Geomorphologie Supplementband, 45: 7–25.

[2] Barbey C, Coute A, 1976. Croutes a cyanophycerew sur les dunes du Sahel mauritaneen. Bulletin de l’Institut fondemental de l’Afrique Noire, A38: 732–736.

[3] Capot–Rey R, 1957. Le vent et le modele eolien au Borkou. Traveaux de l’Institut de Recherches sahariennes, 15: 155–157.

[4] Cooke R U, Warren A, Goudie A S, 1993. Desert Geomorphology. London: UCL Press, 526. Danin A, 1996. Plants of desert dunes. In: Adaptation of Organisms to the Desert. Cloudsley–Thompson J L. Heidelberg: Springer–Verlag, 177.

[5] El–Bana, M I Nijs I, Kockelbergh F, 2002. Microenvironmental and vegetational heterogeneity induced by phytogenic nebkhas in an arid coastal ecosystem. Plant and Soil, 247: 283–293.

[6] Hesp P, 1983. Morphodynamics of incipient foredunes in New South Wales, Australia. In: Brookfield M E, Ahlbrandt T S. Aeolian Sediments and Processes. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 325–342.

[7] Hesp P, 2002. Foredunes and blowouts: Initiation, geomorphology and dynamics. Geomorphology, 48: 245–268. Hesp P, McLachlan A, 2000. Morphology, dynamics, ecology and fauna of Arctotheca populifolia and Gazania rigens nabkha dunes. Journal of Arid Environments, 44: 155–172.

[8] Li Zhizhong, Wu Shengli, Sun Qiumei et al., 2007a. Study on the nabkha in wind-tunnel flow field experiment (I). Journal of Desert Research, 27(1): 9–14. (in Chinese)

[9] Li Zhizhong, Wu Shengli, Sun Qiumei et al., 2007b. Study on the nabkha in wind-tunnel flow field experiment (II). Journal of Desert Research, 27(1): 15–19. (in Chinese)

[10] Lin Yuquan, Qu Jianjun et al., 2003. Influence of sparse natural vegetation on sand-transporting quantity. Journal of Desert Research, 23(1): 12–18. (in Chinese)

[11] Livingstone I, Warren A, 1996. Aeolian Geomorphology: An Introduction. Harlow: Longman Singapore Publishers (Pte) Ltd., 116–119.

[12] Mu Guijin, 1994. The environmental significance of vegetation cones of the Taklimakan Desert, China. Arid Zone Research, 11(1): 34–40. (in Chinese)

[13] Mu Guijin, 1995. Types, origin and evolution of the vegetation cones of Taklimakan Desert. Arid Zone Research, 12(suppl.): 31–37. (in Chinese)

[14] Muhtar Qong, Hiroki Takamura, Mijit Hudaberdi, 2002. Formation and internal structure of Tamarix cones in the Taklimakan Desert. Journal of Arid Environments, 50: 81–97.

[15] Tengberg A, 1994. Nebkhas–their spatial distribution, morphometry, composition and age–in the Sidi Bouzid area, central Tunisia. Zeitschrif fir Geomotpholgie, 38: 31l–325.

[16] Tengberg A, Chen D A, 1998. Comparative analysis of nebkhas in central Tunisia and northern Burkina Faso. Geomorphology, 22: 181–192.

[17] Warren A, 1988. A note on vegetation and sand movement in the Wahiba Sands, Journal of Oman Studies, Spec. Rep.: 3. The scientific results of the Royal Geographical Society’s Oman Wahiba Sands Project 1985–1987, 251– 255.

[18] Zhang Daoyuan, Pan Borong, Yin Linke, 2003. The photogeographical studies of Tamarix (Tamaricaceae). Acta Botanica Yunnanica, 25(4): 415–427. (in Chinese)

[19] Zhu Zhenda, Chen Guangting et al., 1994. Sandy Desertification in China. Beijing: Science Press, 24. (in Chinese)

[20] Zhu Zhenda, Chen Zhiping, Wu Zheng et al., 1981. The Study of Taklimakan Desert Landforms. Beijing: Science Press. (in Chinese)

Bio-geomorphologic features and growth process of Tamarix nabkhas in Hotan River Basin, Xinjiang

PDF (PC)

Like

Knowledge

Cited

Abstract

Cite this article

share this article

References

Related Articles 15

Metrics

Comments

Recommended 0

[1]	WANG Chengjin, LI Xumao, CHEN Peiran, XIE Yongshun, LIU Weidong. Spatial pattern and developing mechanism of railway geo-systems based on track gauge: A case study of Eurasia [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2020, 30(8): 1283-1306.
[2]	Dan JIA, Xiuqi FANG, Chengpeng ZHANG. Coincidence of abandoned settlements and climate change in the Xinjiang oases zone during the last 2000 years [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2017, 27(9): 1100-1110.
[3]	Changjian WANG, Fei WANG, Xiaolei ZHANG, Hongou ZHANG. Influencing mechanism of energy-related carbon emissions in Xinjiang based on the input-output and structural decomposition analysis [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2017, 27(3): 365-384.
[4]	Meihua WU, Yaning CHEN, Changchun XU. Assessment of meteorological disasters based on information diffusion theory in Xinjiang, Northwest China [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2015, 25(1): 69-84.
[5]	Wen DONG, Yu YANG. Exploitation of mineral resource and its influence on regional development and urban evolution in Xinjiang, China [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2014, 24(6): 1131-1146.
[6]	ZHU Bingqi, YU Jingjie, QIN Xiaoguang, Patrick RIOUAL, ZHANG Yichi, XIONG Heigang. Formation and evolution of sand deserts in Xinjiang, Northwest China：Ⅱ. The palaeo-environmental reconstruction [J]. , 2014, 24(3): 539-559.
[7]	ZHU Bingqi, YU Jingjie, QIN Xiaoguang, Patrick RIOUAL, LIU Ziting, XIONG Heigang. Formation and evolution of sand deserts in Xinjiang, Northwest China：Ⅰ. Provenances of desert sands [J]. , 2014, 24(1): 177-190.
[8]	PAN Feng, TIAN Changyan, SHAO Feng, ZHOU Wei, CHEN Fei. Evaluation of ecological sensitivity in Karamay, Xinjiang, China [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2012, 22(2): 329-345.
[9]	LI Qihu, CHEN Yaning, SHEN Yanjun, LI Xingong, XU Jianhua. Spatial and temporal trends of climate change in Xinjiang, China [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2011, 21(6): 1007-1018.
[10]	ZHANG Guangxing, SUN Shufang, MA Yufen, ZHAO Ling. The response of annual runoff to the height change of the summertime 0℃ level over Xinjiang [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2010, 20(6): 833-847.
[11]	XU Changchun, CHEN Yaning, YANG Yuhui, HAO Xingming, SHEN Yongping. Hydrology and water resources variation and its response to regional climate change in Xinjiang [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2010, 20(4): 599-612.
[12]	HUANG Song. The geological heritages in Xinjiang, China: Its features and protection [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2010, 20(3): 357-374.
[13]	LIU Bei, MA Zhu-Guo, XU Jing-Jing, XIAO Zi-Niu. Comparison of pan evaporation and actual evaporation estimated by land surface model in Xinjiang from 1960 to 2005 [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2009, 19(4): 502-512.
[14]	XU Hailiang, YE Mao, SONG Yudong. The dynamic variation of water resources and its tendency in the Tarim River Basin [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2005, 15(4): 467-474.
[15]	LI Hu,, WANG Xiaofeng, CHEN Shujiang, HOU Ping. Dynamic analysis and evaluation of Xinjiang forest resources: based on RS and GIS [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2005, 15(3): 346-352.