Abstract:

The tamarisk phenological and temperature data from 1988 to 2020 obtained by Menyuan National Basic Meteorological Station were used, and the change characteristics of Menyuan tamarisk and their response to climate change in spring and autumn (bud opening, leaf spreading, flowering, leaf discoloration and defoliation) were studied by correlation analysis. The results showed that: (1) the phenological phase in spring had an earlier trend, the flowering period was earlier obviously, and the phenological phase in autumn presented a delayed trend; (2) the average growing period of Menyuan tamarisk was 168 days, and the growing period showed a significant lengthening trend with the changing rate of 13 d/10 a; (3) from 1988 to 2020, the annual and seasonal average temperature in Menyuan County had an increasing trend, which was consistent with global warming, the climate tendency rate of the annual average temperature change was 0.54℃/10 a, indicating that the annual average temperature increased by about 1.7℃ in 32 years; (4) the tamarisk phenological phase in spring was very sensitive to the change of temperature, getting earlier with the rising of temperature; (5) during 1988 to 2020, the annual average temperature of Menyuan and the phenological phase of tamarisk did not change abruptly. In summary, Menyuan tamarisk was sensitive to climate change. Therefore, the study on the response of Menyuan tamarisk to climate change in Qilian Mountains’ ecological vulnerable areas has certain reference value for ecological environmental monitoring and management.

Key words: tamarisk, phenological phase, woody plants, Qilian Mountains, global warming, abrupt change