The cycle characteristics of Haloxylon ammodendron pattern and topography at multi-scales in Gurbantunggut Desert, China

We employed ecologically using Mexh and Mori wavelet methods to analyze the cycle phenomena and their maintaining mechanisms of the Haloxylon ammodendron distribution in complex longitudinal sand ridges (CLSRS). The results showed that ecologically using wavelet can distinguish H. ammodendron distributed in parallel-shaped, lattice-shaped and fork-shaped dunes with a dominant cycle of 165-180 m, 100-110 m and 70-80 m, respectively. Besides the dominant cycle, ecologically using Mori wavelet also showed 2-3 minor small peaks on different scales. The mechanisms to maintain the cycles at multi-scales of H. ammodendron relies on the seed spread, interference intensity in different topography and soil properties. The formations, configurations and presences of the three types of dunes should have some direct relations with the wind fields of the areas where the patterns are located, and also with the ground surface conditions. If the distribution pattern is periodic, meanwhile the abrupt change points are significant; we can predict the H. ammodendron distribution pattern in a certain area.