Gradient analysis and environmental interpretation of desert-oasis ecotone vegetation in Fukang, Xinjiang

A multivariate analysis of desert-oasis ecotone vegetation in Fukang with 55 X 42 (plots X species) species matrix,55 X 4 environment matrix and 55 X 5 spatial coordinates surveyed in Fukang is presented. The results show: 1) eight communities are identified from the 55 plots (Haloxylon ammodendron desert, Reauniuria soongorica +Haloxylon ammodendron desert, Reauniuria soongotica desert, Woody halophyte desert, Tamarix spp. shrub, Petrosimonia sibirica community, Suaeda corniculata community, Bassia sedoides + Bassia dasyphylla community). 2)plant species are classified into 5 ecotypes: and type, osculant type, Halophyte I, Halophyte II, and secondary type. 3) DCA ordination is superior to CCA and DCCA on desert-oasis ecotone vegetation. 4) Variation of ecotone vegetation explained by environmental and spatial factors reaches 23.4%, among these the species matrix explained by non-spatial soil factors accounts for up to 11.5% of variation, spatial variation that is not shared by soil factors explains up to 11.6%, spatial variation interacted with soil factors up to 0.3%, 76.6% of undetermined variation remains due to biological and random factors.