Ecological foundation of Sustainable Management of Natural Vegetation in Desert Areas in Central Asia

　　Cooperative Organization: Ecosystem Institute of Gottingen University, German; University of Vienna, Austria

　　Project Period: 1998~2001

　　Main results:

　　Due to the limit of soil moisture and stress of overgrazing, it is difficult to restore vegetation through seed regeneration under current condition. However, some plant species studied can realize population expansion effectively through roots and underground buds.

　　Main dominant plants in the transitional belt show no sign of obvious water stress. The transpiration is not obviously restricted by water deficiency even if under extremely drought condition and irrigation hardly influences water status of plants.

　　Regression analysis of measured parameters and biomasses is quite useful for determining existing biomasses and plant productivity. Relationship between biomass and productivity provides a foundation for deciding bearable intensity. Potential productivity of vegetation is very high and almost at the same level as that of vegetation types in humid areas. The influence of irrigation on vegetation productivity under study is negligible.

　　So far, more than 20 papers have been published in either domestic and foreign academic journals or academic conferences. German SHAKER press published Ecophysiology and Habitat Requirements of Perennial Plant Species in the Taklimakan Desert and the Chinese version has been published by Science Press.

　　China obtains obligatory basic instruments and equipments for carrying out the research on plant ecophysiology in line with international practice through cooperation and establishes good cooperation and relation with domestic and foreign organizations.