Spatial Distribution Pattern of Desert Plants Zygophyllum xanthoxylum

Based on the field survey and integrated with contiguous grid sampling, the dynamic spatial distribution pattern of Zygophyllum xanthoxylum populations was analyzed with dispersion coefficient, average clumping index, aggregation index, Cassie index, Morisita index, and negative binomial indexes. The results showed that the spatial distribution pattern of Z. xanthoxylum populations in different distribution areas (in both community L and community P) was clustering distribution with high aggregation intensity. There was difference in the aggregation intensity between the two distribution areas and among the sample plots. The order of the aggregation intensity was L1>L3>L2>P1>P3>P2. The aggregation intensity of the L community was obviously higher than that of the P community, indicating the L community was in the stable stage, i.e., along with the seed scattering and the plant rhizome reproducing, the aggregation intensity gradually strengthened and community stability gradually increased.