Analysis of <i>Tamarix chinensis</i> Forest Characteristics, Salt Ion Distribution, and Non-Structural Carbohydrate Levels in the Yellow River Delta: A Spatial Study Based on Proximity to the Shoreline
Peili Mao,
Qingzhi Lin,
Banghua Cao,
Jiabao Qiao,
Kexin Wang,
Xin Han,
Yuanxiang Pang,
Xiaonan Cao,
Bo Jia,
Qingshan Yang
Affiliations
Peili Mao
State Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Silviculture in Downstream Areas of the Yellow River, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China
Qingzhi Lin
State Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Silviculture in Downstream Areas of the Yellow River, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China
Banghua Cao
State Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Silviculture in Downstream Areas of the Yellow River, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China
Jiabao Qiao
State Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Silviculture in Downstream Areas of the Yellow River, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China
Kexin Wang
State Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Silviculture in Downstream Areas of the Yellow River, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China
Xin Han
State Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Silviculture in Downstream Areas of the Yellow River, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China
Yuanxiang Pang
State Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Silviculture in Downstream Areas of the Yellow River, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China
Xiaonan Cao
State Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Silviculture in Downstream Areas of the Yellow River, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China
Bo Jia
State Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Silviculture in Downstream Areas of the Yellow River, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China
The distribution of vegetation in coastal wetlands is significantly influenced by soil properties. However, the mechanisms of how soil characteristics impact the physiological processes of Tamarix chinensis forests remain underexplored. This study examined changes in the soil physicochemical properties and structural attributes of natural T. chinensis forests in the Yellow River Delta with increasing distance from the shoreline. T. chinensis trees were classified into healthy, intermediate, and dying categories based on growth potential, and dynamic changes in salt ions and non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) were investigated. Results indicated that increasing distance from the shoreline corresponded to decreased soil salinity and pH, and increased soil moisture. T. chinensis mortality rate decreased, while tree height and ground diameter increased with distance. Soil salt content was positively correlated with T. chinensis mortality, but negatively correlated with tree height and ground diameter. Trees with lower growth potential had higher Na+ but lower K+ and K+/Na+ ratio. Soil salt content was positively correlated with root and stem Na+, while soil moisture was positively correlated with leaf NSCs. These findings suggest that soil salt content and moisture significantly influence T. chinensis ion absorption and NSC accumulation, with sodium toxicity being a key factor in the spatial distribution of T. chinensis forests.
