Root architecture characteristics of four dominant annual herbs in Tengger Desert, China.

To investigate the adaptability of annual herbaceous species in deserts, we collected root samples of four common annual herbaceous plants in the sand-fixing vegetation area on the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert, namely , , , and , through the traditional excavation approach. Based on the quantification of root morphology indicators, we analyzed root characteristics using geometric topology and fractal theory, and compared the diversity of root characteristics and the differences in adaptation mechanisms among the four species. The results showed that root-shoot ratio and root depth-width ratio of the four species followed an order of > > > .

[Diversity of soil seed banks under different vegetation types in the southeastern margin of the Tengger Desert, China].

To explore the dynamics and distribution of soil seed banks under different vegetation types in desert, and reveal the community succession tendency and diversity characteristics of different vegetative types, we took community, community, community and community as the research objects in the southeastern margin of the Tengger Desert. Samples of 0-2 cm, 2-5 cm, 5-10 cm, and 10-20 cm soil layers were collected. We examined the characteristics of soil seed banks and their relationships with vegetation.