Location: Stations--Desert Statons--Fu Kang

Introduction to the Fukang desert Ecosystem Observation and Experiment Station of Chinese Academy of Sciences

1. Name of station: Fukang Desert Ecosystem Observation and Experiment Station

2. Natural Condition: The station is located in the southern edge of Junggar Basin, Sangonhe River Valley of Fukang City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 76km from Urumqi City, its research area lies between 87 45 88 05 E and 43 45 44 30 N, there is a 80km integrated natural landscape zone from the highest peak of eastern Tianshan Mountain, Bogda Peak, 5445m a.s.l, to the southern fringe of Gurbantunggut Desert, 460m a.s.l. the altitude of the natural landscape is about 5000m.It ranges from glacier snow zone alpine and sub-alpine meadow zone to mountain forest zone low mountain steppe zone desert zone, forming a complete vertical ecosystem. The region is situated in the center of Eurasia, inland desert of Temperate Zone, the zonal vegetation are typical desert vegetation, for example, Haloxylon ammodondron Bge, H.Pcrsicum Rge.ex Bioss. Typical crops include wheat, maize, cotton, water melon, etc., The zonal soil is saline alkali arid soils. The region has a typical continental dry climate of temperate zone with an annual mean temperature of 6.6 ,. Its mean temperature is -17 in January, and 25.6 in July, annual precipitation is 164mm, annual evaporation capacity is about 2000mm, snow retention in winter is about 3 29cm, there are 174 days of frost-free period. The Station is located in Fukang County which covers an area of 8628km2, including 21% of mountain, 26.2% of plain and 53% of desert; ancient and new oasis is distributed in this region, the cultivated area is only 3.07?04 hm2, but planting output value makes up 72.4% of total value of whole region, and livestock husbandry output value makes up 17.87% of total value of the whole region though grassland area is 7.655?05 hm2. Presently the county has a population of 1.2?05.

 3. Research Direction and Focal Point Study on structure, function of desert oasis ecosystem and way to improve productive forces; develop desert ecology science; carry out long-term dynamic monitoring of climate and soil plant atmosphere environmental system in desert area around global environment change.

4. Main staff

Li yan ,Professor, Director of Fukang station, liyan@ms.xjb.ac.cn, fks@ms,xjb.ac.cn, Mobile Phone: 13199806096, Tel: 0991-3824292, 0994-3241659, Fax: 0991-3835459

Ma jian, Associate Professor, Vice Director of Fukang station, majin@ms.xjb.ac.cn, fks@ms,xjb.ac.cn, Mobile Phone: 13199806086, Tel: 0991-3824292, 0994-3241659, Fax: 0991-3835459