Source of the research subject: The research subject was entrusted and supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the “Light of the West Regions” of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Specially-supported Biological Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Forefront Scientific and Technological Fields of Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

　　Study period: From January 1995 to December 2004

　　Award: The research subject won a Third Award of Scientific and Technological Progress of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in 2005.

　　Main accomplishing scientists: 2 Zhang Daoyuan, 4 Zhang Yuanming

　　Brief introduction of the research subject

　　In the research subject, the Tamaricaceae plants were comprehensively researched from multiple academic subjects, and the basic data in systematics, physiological ecology, synecology and conservation biology of Tamaricaceae plants were replenished and consummated. In the aspect of systematology research, some disputed issues were clarified, and the new data of confirming the genera and species were provided; in the aspect of ecology research, the correlations between the coenotypes and the habitats were revealed by researching the geographical distribution and the ecological adaptability; in the aspect of conservation biology research, the actuality and spatial distribution pattern of genetic diversity were proved up using molecular genetic marker, the driving force of genetic differentiation was revealed, and some rational conservation measures were put forward. In the aspect of exploitation and utilization of natural resources, some fine converse-succession resistant species were selected to filter and clone the converse-succession resistant genes based on comprehensively researching the converse-succession resistance of Tamarix spp. The research achievements can immensely promote the theoretical study on families and genera of desert plants, and the theories can be provided for the biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization of desert plants. The cloned three drought-resistant genes are of important academic value in the transgenic study of drought-resistant plants. Currently, an integrated idioplasmatic gene bank of Tamaricaceae plants has been built up in Turpan Prefecture, Xinjiang, and it is an important base of the study on Tamaricaceae plants and of the production of seedlings in arid desert regions in China.