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Arid Land Geography ›› 2021, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (3): 637-642.doi: 10.12118/j.issn.1000–6060.2021.03.05

• Ecology and Environment of Tarim River Basin • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of ecological water conveyance on carbon cycle of Populus euphratica forest ecosystem in the lower reaches of Tarim River

YANG Yuhai1(),ZHU Chenggang1,WANG Yang2,ZHOU Honghua1()   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology and Desert Environment, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, CAS, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang, China
    2. College of Pratacultural and Environmental Sciences, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China
  • Received:2021-02-07 Revised:2021-03-03 Online:2021-05-25 Published:2021-06-01
  • Contact: Honghua ZHOU E-mail:yangyh@ms.xjb.ac.cn;zhouhh@ms.xjb.ac.cn

Abstract:

Desert riparian forests are an important vegetation type for inland river valleys in the arid region of northwest China. In the lower reaches of Tarim River, natural Populus euphratica forest ecosystems are dependent on streamflow. Streamflow in the lower reaches (at 321 km) completely ceased since 1972. The soil has been seriously desertified, and plants have seriously degenerated in the region. A series of environmental measures have been taken to restore the natural P. euphratica forest in the lower reaches of Tarim River, including an ecological water conveyance project. In this paper, on the basis of the results of many studies in the last 20 years, the effects of ecological water conveyance on the carbon cycle of natural P. euphratica forest ecosystems in the lower reaches of Tarim River were comprehensively reviewed. The possible effects of ecological water conveyance on carbon sequestration of P. euphratica forest ecosystems were reviewed, and the effects of vegetation type changes on soil organic carbon content and regional soil organic carbon storage in the lower reaches of Tarim River were analyzed. In addition, the rates of soil respiration and P. euphratica leaf litter decomposition of the P. euphratica forest were reviewed. The implementation of ecological water conveyance affected the carbon cycle of the P. euphratica forest in the lower reaches of Tarim River. Overall, with the implementation of the ecological water conveyance, the carbon sink area and vegetation productivity of the P. euphratica forest increased from 2001 to 2019. The ecological water conveyance restrained vegetation degradation, and some bare land gradually changed into grassland, woodland, or shrubland, which could increase soil organic carbon content and regional soil organic carbon storage in the lower reaches of Tarim River. The groundwater level and soil moisture were affected by the ecological water conveyance in the lower reaches of Tarim River. The soil respiration rate of the P. euphratica forest was related to the groundwater level, and the mass loss rates of P. euphratica leaf litter were affected by moisture during decomposition in the lower reaches of Tarim River. Carbon cycle changes in desert riparian forest ecosystems in arid areas may have a profound influence on regional and even global climate change. Therefore, under the background of limited water resources, conserving and restoring the desert riparian forest in the lower reaches of Tarim River through an ecological water conveyance project is of great significance.

Key words: ecological water conveyance, soil organic carbon, soil respiration, litter, Tarim River