Studies on Characteristics of Water Consumption of Main Constructive Species in Mu Us Desert by Transpiration

Water consumption of Artemisia ordosica,Caragana intermedia,Salix psammophyla and Salix matsudana by transpiration were measured under natural conditions by using a portable LI-1600 stoma meter in the mid July when plants grow vigorously.The results indicated that the diurnal changes of transpiration rate of all the plants showed single-peak curves;the transpiration rate of Artemisia ordosica(both in fixed sandy land and in semi-fixed sandy land) had a peak value at 13∶00.For all the plants stomatal diffusive resistance was the main factor impacting transpiration rate.Through assessment of water consumption by plants,the order of daily mean values and daily maximum values of transpiration rates was Artemisia ordosica in fixed sandy landArtemisia ordosica in semi-fixed sandy landSalix psammophylaSalix matsudanaCaragana intermedia,the order of monthly water consumption of individual plant by transpiration was Salix matsudanaSalix psammophylaArtemisia ordosica in fixed sandy landArtemisia ordosica in semi-fixed sandy landCaragana intermedia and the order of water consumption of plant population of per unit area and per unit time by transpiration was Artemisia ordosica in fixed sandy landArtemisia ordosica in semi-fixed sandy landSalix psammophylaSalix matsudanaCaragana intermedia.