Arid Zone Research ›› 2022, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (3): 863-871.doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2022.03.19

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Distribution pattern and driving mechanisms of the sand plant Leymus racemosus in the Junggar Basin

ZHANG Lin1(),ZHANG Yunling2(),MA Songmei1(),ZHANG Dan3,HE Lingyun1   

  1. 1. College of Science, Shihezi University, Corps Key Laboratory of Oasis Towns and Mountain Basin Ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Landscape Ecology in Arid Region, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang, China
    2. General Grassland Station of Xinjiang, Urumqi 830049, Xinjiang, China
    3. College of Life Sciences, Shihezi University, Corps Key Laboratory of Oasis Towns and Mountain Basin Ecosystems, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang, China
  • Received:2021-09-09 Revised:2022-01-05 Online:2022-05-15 Published:2022-05-30
  • Contact: Yunling ZHANG,Songmei MA E-mail:zhanglin9712@163.com;shzmsm@126.com

Abstract:

Our objective was to simulate and predict ecological suitability, possible suitable distribution range, spatial distribution characteristics, and possible response to future climate change of Leymus racemosus (Lam.) Tzvelev in Xinjiang. The data in this study were based on 24 natural distribution sites and eight environmental factors of Leymus racemosus and were analyzed using GIS spatial analysis and the MaxEnt model. The suitable distribution range and changes in the distribution pattern of Leymus racemosus in Xinjiang under the present climate (1970-2000), the 2050 period (2041-2060), and the 2070 period (2081-2100) for the “Middle of the Road” narrative (SSP2) of the shared socioeconomic pathways were analyzed. We used multivariate environmental similarity surface analysis and the most dissimilar variable to explore the key climatic factors. Under the present climate, the suitable distribution area of Leymus racemosus accounts for 5.57% of the total area of Xinjiang, mainly concentrated in the low-cover grasslands near the Irtysh River. Compared with the present climate, the suitable habitat of Leymus racemosus will be significantly reduced by 0.99% and 1.33% in 2050 and 2070, respectively; its suitable habitat will be highly fragmented, and the center of its suitable habitat will move to the Northwest at higher latitudes and higher elevations. Factors that mainly influence the suitable distribution of Leymus racemosus in Xinjiang are the precipitation of the driest month, precipitation seasonality (Cv), and the standard deviation of seasonal temperature variation.

Key words: Leymus racemosus, suitable distribution, MaxEnt model, driving factor, future climate change, Junggar Basin