180,000 trees! Why do we need to plant Haloxylon ammodendron to prevent wind and fix sand?

Review expert: Dong Wenpan, associate professor of Beijing Forestry University

Haloxylon ammodendron, a tree species known as the "guardian of the desert", plays a vital role in the vast desert with its tenacious vitality and unique ecological value. In March last year, ten teenagers from the variety show "Let's Plant the Land" planted 180,000 Haloxylon ammodendron saplings in Minqin County, Gansu Province, together with local villagers and volunteers.

During the geological process, with the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the environment in the heart of Asia gradually became drier, and countless organisms disappeared one after another. However, the ancestors of the Haloxylon ammodendron adapted to the changing environment, allowing the Haloxylon ammodendron to survive in arid desert climate conditions.

Haloxylon ammodendron is an important component species of the desert vegetation type in central Asia and the main body of energy transformation and material circulation in the desert ecosystem. In desert areas with less species diversity, Haloxylon ammodendron is undoubtedly one of the most important species in the ecosystem. It has also become the preferred choice for sand fixation and wind prevention in the process of human civilization entering modernization.

So, what are the characteristics of Haloxylon ammodendron? Why is Haloxylon ammodendron the first choice for windbreak and sand fixation?

Desert Guardian: Haloxylon ammodendron

Haloxylon ammodendron, also known as Haloxylon ammodendron, Saltwood, and Suosuo, is a drought-resistant plant and a Class II protected plant in China. In Xinjiang and other places, people often call it Haloxylon ammodendron and Saltwood.

Haloxylon ammodendron is mainly distributed in the arid desert area between 36°-48°N and 60°-111°E. In my country, it is mainly distributed in Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, northern Qinghai, western Gansu, and northwestern Ningxia. It usually grows in sand dunes, saline-alkali deserts, and riverside sand. The wood is hard and brittle, the root system is well developed, and the lifespan can exceed 100 years.

Haloxylon ammodendron is a shrub or small tree, usually with a twisted trunk, light gray or gray-brown bark, and old branches may be gray-brown or light yellow-brown, and often with annular fissures. The branches of the current year are thin, obliquely ascending or drooping, with green or blue-green branches (photosynthesis), and joints.

The young branches of Haloxylon ammodendron are used to replace leaves for photosynthesis

The leaves of Haloxylon ammodendron are opposite and not obvious because they have degenerated into scales. The flowers are bisexual and grow on the short lateral branches of the biennial branches. The flowering period is from May to July. The fruit has five membranous wings on the periphery, which resembles wintersweet flowers, so Haloxylon ammodendron is called "desert plum blossom".

Why is Haloxylon ammodendron the first choice for windbreak and sand control?

Haloxylon ammodendron has tenacious vitality and is resistant to drought, severe cold, high temperature, saline-alkali and barrenness. It grows in the three northern desert areas with harsh natural conditions and can form luxuriant forests. It is a pioneer tree species for preventing wind and sand and improving the ecological environment, a key species in the process of desert reversal, and has a huge ecological role, earning it the reputation of the "Desert Guardian" and "King of Desert Vegetation."

Extraordinary talent for adapting to the environment

The salt content in the stems and branches of Haloxylon ammodendron is as high as 15%, and it can thrive in saline-alkali sandy land with a salt content of 0.2%-0.3%. The leaves are scaly, which can effectively reduce water evaporation. It has the characteristics of summer dormancy, and conserves water by increasing cell osmotic pressure and abscisic acid concentration. The wood of the trunk close to the surface is well developed, which can withstand severe cold and heat. The base is grayish white, which can reflect light and prevent the trunk from being burned by the scorching sun and hot sand. In a high temperature environment, Haloxylon ammodendron can withstand temperatures of 43°C, and can even grow normally at a surface temperature of 60°C-70°C.

Excellent wind and sand fixation capabilities

Haloxylon ammodendron is a "pioneer" tree species for windbreak and sand fixation. An adult Haloxylon ammodendron tree can effectively fix 10 square meters of sand. Their presence can slow down wind speed, reduce wind erosion, and thus prevent the expansion of the desert.

The taproot of the Haloxylon ammodendron can reach more than ten meters underground.

Haloxylon ammodendron has a well-developed root system, with the taproot reaching 10 meters underground and the lateral roots extending 10 meters in all directions, forming a stable root network. This root system can not only absorb deep groundwater to provide sufficient water for the plant, but also stabilize the soil to prevent wind and sand erosion.

Rapid reproduction and spread

Haloxylon ammodendron occupies an important position in the desert ecosystem with its unique ability to reproduce rapidly. In order to cope with the harsh environment, Haloxylon ammodendron has evolved itself into one of the fastest germinating tree species in the world. Its seeds have strong vitality and can quickly germinate and take root within two to three hours with only a small amount of water. The fruit is surrounded by five membranous wings shaped like plum blossoms, which can be spread far across the desert with the help of wind power, expanding the distribution range of the population.

Source: Chinese Academy of Sciences website

In addition, the rapid reproduction of Haloxylon ammodendron not only stabilizes the desert ecosystem, but also provides habitats for birds, insects, etc., promotes the development of biodiversity, and enhances the stability and resistance of the desert ecosystem.

Dual value of ecology and economy

Haloxylon ammodendron is not only an important tree species for preventing wind and fixing sand, but also has significant ecological and economic value. The Cistanche deserticola parasitic on its roots is a precious Chinese medicinal material, known as the "desert ginseng", which has the effects of nourishing essence and blood, nourishing the liver and protecting the liver.

Haloxylon ammodendron is the host of Cistanche deserticola, the "Ginseng of the Desert". In recent years, in the practice of sand prevention and control, people have planted Cistanche deserticola under Haloxylon ammodendron trees, which has become an emerging green industry to improve the ecological environment and promote economic development in desert areas.

Inoculating Cistanche deserticola under the Haloxylon ammodendron trees has formed a unique green industry in the desert area, which can not only improve the ecological environment but also promote local economic development.