Plant interspecific relationships in desert steppe of Ningxia

Interspecific relationships of plant communities in desert steppe of eastern Ningxia area were studied by Chi-squared test, Jaccard association index, Pearson’s correlate coefficient and Spearman’s rank correlate coefficient. Interspecific relationships of 210 species pairs belonging to 21 plant species were measured, in this study. The results of Chi-squared test showed that 12 species pairs have significant positive correlations, and 25 species pairs have significant negative correlations. Pearson’s correlate coefficient indicated that 12 species pairs have significant positive correlations, and 6 species pairs have significant negative correlations. Spearman’s rank correlate coefficient indicated that 21 species pairs have significant positive correlations and 10 species pairs have significant negative correlations. 2) Interspecific association of plant communities in desert steppe of eastern Ningxia area is weak. Plant communities in this area which are high level of xerophilization, have low stability, and are still in succession process.