418
Pig. 5 The wet biomass distribution for the Tarim River
Basin in Xinjiang on 13th of June, 1983.
to the results illustrated above, a pasture
biomass in the Middle and Lower Tarim River
Basin is classified as shown in Pig,5. it is
portrayed that in this region the pasture
biomass is symmetrically distributed along
both sides of the Tarim River with a orien
tation. Close to the river bank the grass
biomass density is more than 400 kg/mu, while
far grom the river bank it is reduced, and
less than 100 kg/mu. There is a regular dis
tribution: along the River forest with popu-
lus diversifolia is domonant, outside towar
ds, pasture with bushes, then grassy marsh
land, and finally, desert-grassland. In this
study the maximum pasture biomass is invol
ved in such locations as Puhui Country, Wei-
li, and Donghetan, while the minimum is in
the desert area very far from the river.
This distribution feature is controlled by
groundwater on both sides of the Tarim River,
because the closer bank, the more the groun
dwater is enriched. The categories of pas
ture biomass shown in Pig.5 are also agree
able to the ground surface cases.
By statistical analysis, it is recognized
that the sampling locations are still not
enough to compare the number of controlling
quantitative data, and there is a disadvan
tage in that we have not used time-synchro
nous data between NOAA and hand clipping,
e venthough an effective approach was acce
pted, because there was no alternative. Next
time, more sampling plots will be required
and multi-temporal images will be accepted
to improve and to establish the method for
estimating pasture biomass in the arid or
semi-arid region.
3 CONCLUSIONS
3.1 The NOAA’s data without cloud cover in
the Tatim River Basin, was obtained for the
first time in Xinjiang, with which a preli
minary test to estimate pasture biomass was
given.
3.^ Between ND = CH2 - un-|/CH2 + CH-i and the
pasture biomass there exists a positive cor
relation where the correlation coefficient
is prettyhigh and reaches to that of r=0.95.
The ND distribution by NOAA’s data is appro
ximately agreeable to the practice.
3.3 The ND of pasture biomass in the Tarim
River Basin, Xinjiang is symmetrically dis
tributed on both sides of the river with a
orientation.
3.4 In the Xinjiang region NOAA estimation
for pasture biomass on a large scale has
such advantages as low cost, good effect,
and feasibility, etc..
One improved method is observation for a
5-10 day cycle duration the grass growing
season and time-synchronous data between
NOAA and ground sampling such as the hand
clipping weighing method. It enables us to
find the dynamic changes in pasture biomass,
and it is important for the understanding
of forage sources, and establishing pasture
use planning in the Xinjiang area.
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