Water conveyance in dried-up riverway and ecological restoration in the lower reaches of Tarim River, China
新疆塔里木河下游断流河道输水与生态恢复

Based on the field data of groundwater table at nine sections and plants in eighteen sample plots,this paper analyses the change of groundwater table and the response and restoration of natural vegetation under the condition of water conveyance in the lower reaches of Tarim River.Results show that the water conveyance effectively lifted the groundwater table on both sides of riverway from 6-8m to 2-4m.In transverse direction the change of groundwater table responding to water conveyance reached as far as 850m,and affected Populus euphratica and Tamarix L.to 700m and 600m,respectively.However,the range of affected herbaceous plant was relatively close.The desertification process between forests has not been stopped.In order to maximize ecological benifits of water conveyance and accelerate the restoration of damaged ecology,it has been suggested that surface water conveyance be carried out by subsections in addition to the present practice of "linear watering" in natural riverway.Improving water management of the river basin,promoting the water-saving agricultural techniques,and augmenting the maitenance of riverway are among the measures useful to ensure the water supply for ecological restoration in the lower reaches of Tarim River.