Title: The Study of Stable Carbon Isotope Composition in Desert Plants of Junggar Basin
Abstract: The stable carbon isotopes(δ13C) of 53 plant species were measured in the south edge of Gurbantonggut Desert of Junggar Basin in Xinjiang,China.The results showed that the δ13C values of plants have an extensive range from-7.77‰ to-30.10‰.Among them,34 species were C3 plants,and 19 species were C4 plants.The δ13C values of C3 species ranged from -23.27‰ to-30.10‰ and the average δ13C value was-26.77‰;the δ13C values of C4 species ranged from-7.77‰ to-14.90‰ and the average δ13C value was-13.04‰ respectively.The δ13C values of shrubs were more positive than these of grasses significantly,which were closely similar to those from the previous literature sources.This indicated that shrubs had stronger adaptability to arid environments than grasses.In addition,the average δ13C value of annual plants(-19.54‰) was more positive than that of perennial plants(-20.07‰).Since a strong correlation was observed between δ13C of plants and water use efficiency,it suggested that annual species tended to be more adaptable than perennial species in this area.
Publication Year: 2007
Publication Date: 2007-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 6
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