Ecological basis for a sustainable management of the indigenous vegetation in a Central-Asian desert: Presentation and first results

To provide an ecological basis for the regeneration and the sustainable use of the vegetation at the transition between eases and sandy desert, a joint European-Chinese research project is being conducted at the southern fringe of the Central-Asian Taklamakan desert (Xinjiang, China). The investigations are being carried out at five study sites located in the foreland of the river oasis of Qira (Cele). Four of these sites are dominated by one species each, which is indigenous on a local (Alhagi sparsifolia, Populus diversifolia, Tarmarix ramosissima) or regional scale (Calligonum spec.). The fifth site is free of vegetation. Subsequent to irrigation performed by artificial flooding, the effects of the consecutive desiccation and of harvest on the water relations of soil and plants (including water-use efficiency and drought tolerance), the demand and turnover of nutrients (especially of nitrogen) and productivity of the respective species are being investigated. The composition of the vegetation and the population biology of the local species are being studied. Concomitantly, socio-economic inquiries are being performed to register the population's demand for plant resources and to provide a basis for the calculation of the management costs. The results of the study should provide a basis for the regeneration of that kind of vegetation which is best suited to meet the population's demand for plant resources and shelter from sand drift. The selection of the vegetation will be made on the basis of its water-use efficiency, productivity and capability of regeneration. The first results and an outlook for the forthcoming research activities are presented.