China has the largest population of Populus euphratica in the world. 90% of Populus euphratica in the world is concentrated in China, and 90% of Populus euphratica in China is in Xinjiang. This is because Populus euphratica likes sandy soil, likes light and heat, and can resist drought and salt. Because of this, the semi-desert soil in western China is very suitable for the growth of Populus euphratica.
Although it seems to us that Populus euphratica can survive in arid desert areas, this is not the case. If the local groundwater level is less than 9 meters, Populus euphratica will die in pieces; If the local groundwater level is higher than 4 meters, Populus euphratica will grow comfortably.
Although Populus euphratica forest is a vegetation in the desert, the place where the river overflows is the most suitable place for them to live. Around some oasis shoals, you will see a large number of Populus euphratica forests growing.
Although the Populus euphratica forest has strong saline-alkali tolerance, it will grow well if the soil salt content in the range of 1 m is below 1%. More than 3% will be shattered. Therefore, not all desert areas are suitable for Populus euphratica to grow, only some specific places can take root and sprout.
The eternal secret of Populus euphratica
In fact, Populus euphratica will not fail for a thousand years, and it is only people's appreciation of them that does not mean that they will not fail for a thousand years. Under natural conditions, Populus euphratica forest will collapse in just a few decades or hundreds of years.
We know that Populus euphratica forest needs groundwater level. Due to the large evaporation in the desert, rivers are easily diverted, and some Populus euphratica often die in large areas due to the drop of local water level. If we see pieces of dead Populus euphratica in the desert, then we can judge that water once flowed here. If you can see the surviving Populus euphratica, it means that there must be groundwater in this area.
Anyway, when Populus euphratica dies, its branches can no longer resist the erosion of wind and sand, so that some branches will break under the action of wind. Also, because Populus euphratica died, the metabolism in the body could not be maintained, the branches and leaves would be dehydrated, and the dehydrated branches of Populus euphratica were easily broken.
However, the branches of Populus euphratica are relatively thick. When growing, Populus euphratica will try its best to tie down its roots and spread around constantly to explore water sources. So the root of Populus euphratica is very strong, which can make its branches resist the erosion of wind and sand, and make it stay in the desert for a long time without lodging, not for thousands of years.
Populus euphratica will not rot for a thousand years.
As we all know, Xinjiang has a continental climate. Because it is far away from the ocean, the local rainfall is reduced and there are fewer clouds. Due to the strong sunlight, local evaporation increases.
When Populus euphratica is alive, it can absorb water from the soil and keep itself moist. But after death, the strong sunlight will soon dehydrate Populus euphratica and form a "mummy".
We know that living things can survive for a long time in extremely dry environment, such as mummies. The place where Populus euphratica lives is a natural mummification place. Sunshine completely dehydrates Populus euphratica, making it impossible for microorganisms to decompose Populus euphratica, so Populus euphratica can survive for a long time after death.