Taklimakan is not a hopeless situation? The birth of desert ninjas!

Few people can live here for long.

Even in today's technologically advanced world

People also have to rely on transportation networks

Or natural river survival

Drought ravages, yellow sand everywhere

This is the most common appearance on this land.

It has many nicknames, such as "Sea of ​​Death" and "Forbidden Zone of Life".

(Overlooking the Taklimakan Desert, photographer @马浩杰)

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It is the largest desert in my country.

Taklimakan

But do you know?

In such a harsh environment

There are still many living creatures living and multiplying

To live

They each have unique skills

A true " Desert Ninja "

Some can go without food or water for dozens of days.

(The original meaning of Ninja refers to the Japanese spy killer. "忍" means "hidden". This article uses the meaning of "hidden forbearance" to highlight the difficult survival of desert creatures in the face of nature. The picture below is a desert camel, photographer @毛江涛)

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Some can even "faked their death" for several years and then be resurrected on the same spot.

(Desert Haloxylon ammodendron does not die quickly in the case of extreme water shortage. It will sacrifice its branches and leaves on the ground to ensure the survival of its roots. This is a state of "suspended death". Photographer @刘璐)

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This is a land that is far more lush than we imagined.

How do these beings do this?

How many miracles are there in the depths of the desert that we don’t know about?

01

Sea of ​​Death

When we open a map of China

You will find that in the northwest of our country

A huge oval lowland comes into view

This is located in southern Xinjiang.

China's largest basin

Tarim Basin

(Please watch in horizontal mode, the location and topography of the Tarim Basin and Taklimakan Desert, drawn by @吴昕恬/Planetary Research Institute)

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It is 1,400 kilometers long from east to west.

520 km from north to south

The area can reach more than 400,000 square kilometers

Equivalent to a Yunnan Province

Tianshan Mountains, Kunlun Mountains, Pamir Plateau

Surround it from the north, south and west

(Kunlun Mountains, Kashitashi Village in the high mountains of Aqiang Township, Yutian County, photographer @尚昌平)

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Such a closed landscape

Makes it difficult for water vapor to enter

Finally, it was blocked on the surrounding mountains.

Forming a majestic and holy snow mountain corridor

The interior of the basin is shrouded in drought.

(The Qeretag Ridge in the Taklimakan Desert and the Tianshan Mountains in the distance, photographer @陈剑峰)

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then

A large amount of glacier meltwater gathers into rivers

and carried sediment and debris into the basin

After the transformation and transportation of the strong wind

China's largest "Xura Field" Taklimakan Desert was born

(Taklimakan Desert, Photographer @高博)

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This is a place that scares all living things.

The most cruel "hell on earth"

Because I want to survive here

The four most rigorous tests are about to be faced.

The first test

Drought and water shortage

As we all know, water is the source of life.

This is especially true in the Taklimakan Desert.

In the heart of the desert

The average annual precipitation is only 23 mm

But the evaporation capacity is as high as 3800mm

(Display of annual precipitation in the Taklimakan Desert, drawn by @吴昕恬/Planetary Research Institute)

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Temporary lake

Occasional fog, snow and hail

It became the water's blessing to the Taklimakan Desert for a year.

(Please watch horizontally, snowfall in Huludao, Taklimakan Desert, photographer @邓建中)

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therefore

Want to survive here

The first major problem that must be solved is access to water.

In addition to drought and water shortage

The second test is

Extreme heat and severe cold

That's right

In Taklimakan

Extreme heat and cold can coexist

This is mainly due to the small specific heat capacity of sand.

It absorbs and releases heat faster

summer

The temperature in the heart of the desert can exceed 40 degrees Celsius

In winter

The temperature can drop to minus 20 degrees Celsius

The annual temperature difference exceeds 60℃

At the same time, the daily temperature difference can exceed 20℃

(Poplars in southern Xinjiang during the day and night. The temperature in the picture indicates the day and night temperature in summer. Photographer: Yang Zhitao & Visual China. Map by Zhang Qi/Planetary Research Institute)

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Such drastic and extreme temperature changes

It makes it difficult for most creatures to approach

Even if you can survive by chance

The next test will be even more difficult

Strong wind and dust

Due to the lack of vegetation cover

In Taklimakan

From day to night, from spring to summer to autumn and winter

Dust and sandstorms became the main theme

(Please watch in horizontal mode, Taklimakan sandstorm, photographer @李威男)

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About one-third of the weather each year is windy and sandy.

Maximum wind speed can reach 300 m/s

Living in northern China

Several sandstorms in spring are enough to make us complain

It is even more difficult to imagine how tragic the Taklimakan Desert would be.

(The average dust weather distribution in the Taklimakan Desert over the years, drawn by @吴昕恬/Planetary Research Institute)

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besides

Due to low precipitation, high evaporation

Large amounts of salt accumulate on the surface

In addition, the high salt content of groundwater

Taklimakan has become a "big salt field"

This also became the fourth test for the desert creatures.

High salt and strong alkali

(Green Haloxylon ammodendron growing on saline-alkali land, image source: @Visual China)

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So far

Everything seems to have nothing to do with life

However, there are always some "warriors" in the world.

I have to fight my way out of the darkness

Facing death and flourishing

02Stubborn Plants

There are actually quite a few such "warriors"

On the northern edge of the Taklimakan Desert

The winding Tarim River flows quietly

Like a colorful ribbon

The tall and straight trees on the shore are particularly eye-catching.

They are the kings of the desert

Populus euphratica

(Please watch in horizontal mode, Populus euphratica forests on both sides of the Tarim River, photographer @尘月RoyChen)

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Aerial view

Populus euphratica and the lonely desert complement each other

Seemingly integrated yet lively and jumping

(Aerial photography of desert poplars, photographer @蒋婷婷)

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However

I want to bloom in the desert

Such a gorgeous "flower of life" is not easy to create

To fight against the four major tests

Populus euphratica can be said to have racked his brains

(Sketch of survival strategies of poplar trees in the desert, drawn by @张琪/Planetary Research Institute)

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In the face of drought

They choose to collaborate with each other to increase revenue and reduce expenditure

first

The root system of Populus euphratica is very large

Can penetrate 20 meters deep

It can also extend tens of meters in the horizontal direction

This facilitates access to more water

(Tarim Populus euphratica forest in Luntai, Xinjiang, photographer @朱金华)

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Second, above the ground

To reduce water loss

Populus euphratica not only covers the surface of its leaves with a thick wax layer

If necessary, the stomata are also closed

Slowing down transpiration

When we look closely, we find

The leaves of different parts of Populus euphratica are actually not the same

The leaves at the bottom are thin and long

The leaves gradually widen as they go up.

At the top, the leaves become fan-shaped.

(Different forms of Populus euphratica leaves, photographer @Xy E)

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And this is also the real wisdom of Populus euphratica

With the strongest ability to adapt to the environment

The broad leaves on the top are like a huge umbrella

Protecting the lower branches and leaves

The leaves in the middle layer photosynthesize the most

Providing energy for trees

The combination of the two protects the growth of the smallest leaves in the lower layer.

(Poplar, image source @Visual China, map @Zhang Qi/Planet Research Institute)

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besides

To combat the high salinity environment

Populus euphratica can also continuously excrete salt from the body

A mature poplar tree

Tens of kilograms of salt and alkali can be discharged every year

On the tree trunk

White or light yellow crystals can often be seen

This is poplar alkali

(The unique parasitic fungus of Populus euphratica, Porioporium luminescens, and the Populus euphratica tears secreted from its surface. The crystals left after the Populus euphratica tears evaporate are Populus euphratica, photographer @漠青)

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But what is even more special is

In order to survive in the desert

Populus euphratica not only blooms and bears fruit, but also reproduces and spreads

Above the underground lateral roots

New trees can be grown directly

This also means

Within a few dozen meters

Many poplar trees are connected by a root system that goes in all directions.

therefore

As long as the roots of the mother plant have access to water

Other poplars can also grow normally

(Poplars in Huludao Scenic Area in the Tarim River Basin, photographer @张燮林)

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But in the desert

Not all rivers stretch for thousands of miles like the Tarim River.

Most of them are short or even temporary rivers.

There

Shrubs replaced trees as the dominant

Brought us another world

On the oasis in the southern Taklimakan Desert

Tamarix chinensis, Calligonum mongolicum, Haloxylon ammodendron

Camel thorn, white thorn and other shrubs are scattered everywhere

(Please watch in horizontal mode, the desert oasis in the southern part of the Taklimakan Desert near Hotan City, photographer @陈小羊)

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To reduce water evaporation and fight drought

The leaves of Tamarix become thicker

And hold the branches tightly

Reduced area exposed to air

(Tamarisk leaves, photographer @汪彬)

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Calligonum elata simply degenerates its leaves into a linear shape

Relying on specialized young stems of the year for photosynthesis

(Callax serrata, photographer @黑马517)

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In the face of high salinity

Different plants also choose different strategies

Suaeda salsa decided to open its arms

Desperately absorbing salt from the soil

More than 2 tons can be absorbed per hectare per year

It not only brings a touch of green to the desert

He has also become an expert in improving saline-alkali land.

(Suaeda salsa, photographer @漠青)

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Tamarix is ​​semi-open to salt

After they are absorbed

Excess salt will be excreted from the body through the stems and leaves

(Tamarix, photographer @刘刚)

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In contrast

The tall reeds are even more proud

They keep most of the salt out of your body

Survive by absorbing more water

Became a representative of salt-rejecting plants

(Poplars and reeds in the Tarim River Basin, photographer @文兴华)

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But in the desert

Strong winds and flying sand can not only make plants unstable, but also

It will be buried under the sand.

But the jujube is not afraid

Even if it is covered by sand

It can also quickly grow new roots and branches

Gather the surrounding sand

They have therefore become the real "pioneers of sand fixation"

(Plants in the Taklimakan Desert, the sand bag formed by Calligonum mongolicum in the front, the two on the left are Psammophyllum sphaerocephalum, and the one on the sand dune in the back is Haloxylon ammodendron, photographer @樊小喆)

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If you think this is all the wisdom of desert plants

That really underestimates the wonders of nature.

After a rain shower

Spring is ushered in by ephemeral plants such as Gagea

They rely on spherical underground bulbs as nutrient storage

Rapid growth, flowering and fruiting

The entire life cycle is completed within 1-2 months

(Glacier, photographed in the Yili Desert, for illustration only, photographer @马锐)

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thus

In this cruel place

The growth of plants makes us feel the wisdom and courage of life

However, next

The real protagonist here will bring us

A bigger show

03Tenacious Animals

If you were asked to name an animal that can live in the desert

I think it's most likely a camel.

Today, there are hundreds of wild Bactrian camels

Life in the Taklamakan Desert

They are mostly distributed in the central and eastern regions

(Camels at the foot of the snow-capped mountains in Tashi County, southern Xinjiang. The picture shows a domestic camel, for illustration only. Image source: Visual China)

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They love companionship

Or they eat in groups of three or five in the bushes

Or take a leisurely walk in the wilderness in pairs.

(Camels in the Taklimakan Desert. The picture shows a domestic camel, for illustration only. Photographer: @严大卫)

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Whenever evening comes

Between the afterglow of the setting sun and the hazy yellow sand

Camel's strong body

More lonely and majestic

This also makes them the most

The most beautiful scenery

(Camel silhouette in the desert, photographer @郭宏宇)

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However

To achieve this state

It's not easy

Camels go to great lengths to survive

(Diagram of camel's desert survival strategy, drawn by @张琪/Planet Research Institute)

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In all skills

The most unique and eye-catching

The two humps on its back

Different from what we imagined

The hump does not store water.

It's fat

This not only reduces the distribution of fat in other parts

Accelerate skin heat dissipation

When food is scarce

It can also be converted into energy for camels to survive.

(Camels in the ice and snow of Sailimu Lake, just for illustration, photographer @Quanzi)

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besides

To adapt to the changes in temperature

The body temperature of a camel can fluctuate between 34°C and 42°C.

Long legs can also keep the body off the ground

Resist high temperatures

(Camels in Southern Xinjiang, image source: Visual China)

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To combat drought

Camels have water bladders in their stomachs that can store water

The curved, wrinkled nasal cavity can trap water when you exhale

The kidneys can excrete highly concentrated urine.

Further reduce water loss

Thick and long eyelashes

It plays a role in filtering dust and sand

Soft and elastic soles

While preventing you from sinking into the sand

Also avoid slipping

Camels can travel freely in windy and dusty weather (Camels walking in the dust, photographer @Fier斐兒's nomadic project)

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To eat the thorny camel thorn

They have also evolved a super strong oral lining

They are salt-loving

It is also well adapted to the high-salinity desert environment.

(Camels in northern Xinjiang eating, only for illustration, image source: Visual China)

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It is precisely these many skills that

Camels have become the undisputed ship of the desert.

In Taklimakan

In addition to camels

There are also many animals living and breeding here

Although they are not as good as camels in the desert

But also relying on his own unique skills

Occupies a place

Goitered gazelle, Tarim red deer

Also the ungulates that live here

(Please watch in horizontal mode, Goitered Serow, photographer @邓建中)

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Goitered gazelles

Light and lively

They mainly feed on Tamarix, Haloxylon ammodendron, and Camel Thorn.

Feeding continuously from day till midnight

At noon, choose to rest in the shade

(A resting goitered gazelle, photographer @徐可意Shirky)

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Compared with the goitered gazelle

Tarim red deer

It adds a bit of wildness and unruliness

They have delicate features and big, alert eyes.

The fur color is relatively uniform

The antlers on the heads of adult male deer are particularly large.

They like to drink salt water

Can adapt well to the desert environment

(Tarim red deer, photographer @文兴华)

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But not all animals in the desert like to eat vegetarian food.

Steller's sea eagle, kestrel and other birds have become the rulers of the sky

They are majestic and domineering.

Always ready for battle

(Jade-belted sea eagle, photographer @刘璐)

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Their prey is not so lucky.

Not only to adapt to the environment

We must find ways to avoid the invasion

Tarim Rabbit

One of them is

Compared with other domestic and wild rabbits

They are relatively small

Loose skin, sparse hair coat

Plus longer front and hind legs

Can slow down the invasion of high temperature

(Tarim Rabbit, photographer @刘璐)

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To avoid natural enemies

They can change their fur color according to the season

At the same time, the developed auditory system

Super running and jumping ability

It has also become a magic weapon for the Tarim rabbit to save its life.

(Tarim Rabbit, photographer @刘刚)

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Smaller animals such as gerbils

To avoid high temperatures and natural enemies

More night activities

(Meridian gerbil at night, photographer @黄生鸿)

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In addition to mammals

Reptiles are also common in deserts

The Eastern Sand Python twists its body

Walking through the desert

(Oriental sand python, photographer @黄生鸿)

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The sand lizard drags its curled tail

Walking proudly on the sand dunes

(Sand lizard, a typical desert animal, has a curled tail and is used to catch ants and small insects. Photographer: Liu Gang)

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Xinjiang Sand Tiger

With a pair of big watery eyes, she successfully became popular

(Xinjiang Sand Tiger, Photographer @Huang Shenghong)

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Insects are also abundant

Rhinoceros beetles, giant saw beetles, etc.

(The Chinese Desert King Beetle crawling in the Taklimakan Desert, photographer @张争鸣)

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that's all

From day to night

From the depths of the desert to the banks of the rivers

The Taklimakan Desert

No longer just loneliness

There are also patches of vibrant plants

A group of agile and alert animals

They battle wits and courage with the desert

Walking with Death

(White-tailed Raven, photographer @何亚宁)

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04 Ending

From this land

To live

Plants do their best

Carve out a path for life for yourself and your descendants

(Spring desert poplar, photographer @邓建中)

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To live

The animals racked their brains

Create a world between the vastness and loneliness

(Sand lizard lying on Cynomorium, photographer @郭志洪)

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They have overcome drought, heat and

Overcame strong winds, salt and alkali

And more importantly

They create one of the most unique natural systems on Earth.

Desert Ecosystem

(Desert landforms and common organisms, map by @张琪/Planetary Research Institute)

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Here

All the rules and strategies are not complicated

because

Living is everything

(Please watch in horizontal mode, Taklimakan Desert, photographer @毛江涛) ▼

This article was created by

Written by Shi Xiaofei

Editor: Yunwukongcheng

Image: Xia Xue

Design: Zhang Qi

Map: Wu Xintian

Reviewer: Jingzi & Gu Yuehu & Li Chuyang & Tang Wenjun

Head Photographer: Wen Xinghua

Expert review

Northwest Institute of Ecology and Environmental Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Researcher Si Jianhua

【References】

[1] Si Jianhua, Chang Zongqiang, Su Yonghong, et al. Stomatal conductance characteristics of Populus euphratica leaves and their responses to environmental factors [J]. Journal of Northwest Botany, 2008, (01): 125-130.

[2]Fesseha H, Desta W. Dromedary camel and its adaptation mechanisms to desert environment: A review[J]. International Journal of Zoology Studies, 2020, 5:23-28.

[3]Abdel H. The Stomach of the Camel[J]. British Veterinary Journal, 1950, 209-213.

[4] Xu Kefen. Karyotype analysis of Tarim rabbit[J]. Acta Theriologica Sinica, 1986(04):11-15.DOI:CNKI:SUN:SLXX.0.1986-04-001