Response of Plant Species Diversity to Flood Irrigation in the Tarim River Basin, Northwest China

This study quantitatively analyzes the effects of flooding on growth and species diversity riparian forests along Yarkant River Tarim River, Xinjiang, in northwest China, provides important information for efficient utilization water resource management arid regions. Monitoring was conducted every year from 2016 to 2019 Xiamale forest district lower reaches Shaya lunnan upper middle River. The Pielou index, Shannon–Wiener Simpson importance value were used analyze influence flooding. results showed following: (1) After three years flooding, indices significantly increased 11 new plant appeared. (2) With increasing distance river channel, density decreased. Flooding trends are main factors affecting distribution is restricting factor that influences areas; thus, desert improved after (3) increases regeneration capacity communities forests. In order maintain current trend ecological improvement, irrigation must continue.