Water use strategies of Nitraria tangutorum in the lake-basin region of the Badain Jaran Desert

Nitraria tangutorum, a desert plant, demonstrates adaptive water-use strategies in the Badain Jaran Desert's lake-basin region. The study reveals that it shifts between groundwater absorption and deep soil water reliance depending on seasonal fluctuations, while also adjusting its water use efficiency (WUE) and leaf water potential to cope with decreasing soil moisture. Notably, as water stress intensifies, N. tangutorum transitions from an adventurous anisohydric regulation to a conservative isohydric strategy, allowing it to thrive under varying environmental conditions. This research provides critical insights into desert plant adaptations to long-term drought and quantifies the hydrological cycle in warming ecosystems.

Qin, J., Si, J., Jia, B., Zhao, C., Zhou, D., He, X., Wang, C., & Zhu, X. (2023). Water use strategies of Nitraria tangutorum in the lake-basin region of the Badain Jaran Desert. Frontiers in Plant Science, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1240656