[Relationship between ephemeral plants distribution and soil moisture on longitudinal dune surface in Gurbantonggut desert].

Ephemeral plant is a particular group of desert flora only distributed in northern Xinjiang, China. In this study, field surveys of vegetation and soil moisture were conducted in the southern area of the Gurbantonggut desert from March to August 2002. The species number, coverage and growth of ephemerals and soil moisture were measured in 7 quadrats at different geomorphic positions on the longitudinal dune surface. The results showed that soil moisture in a depth of 0-30 cm affected ephemeral plants distribution significantly. In early spring, the soil moisture was 4.62% on the intredune, 3.98% on the plinth, and 2.01% on the crest. Consequently, the average coverage of ephemeral plants reached 51.8%, 38.2% and 4.4%, respectively. The existence of ephemeral plants distribution influenced soil moisture as well. In later May, there was an increase of surface soil moisture from the interdune to the crest. The soil moisture was 1.00% on the intredune, 1.90% on the plinth, and 2.45% on the crest.