Characteristics of species diversity of gramineous plants of West Kunlun Mountains in Xinjiang

The characteristics of species diversity of gramineous plants of West Kunlun Mountains in Xinjiang were studied by field investigation, collection and identification of plant specimens, and by referring to relevant literature. The research shows that gramineous plants of West Kunlun Mountains in Xinjiang included 37 genera, and 137 species, which accounts for 52.11 and 42.55% of genera and species, respectively, of Gramineae in Xinjiang. Gramineae species richness is relatively high in Xinjiang; and six novel species were discovered. The endemism of gramineous plants is not obvious in this area, the composition of the genus is dominated by single species (17 genera and 17 species) and few species genera (13 genera and 35 species), which have totally 30 genera and 52 species, respectively accounted for 81.08% and 37.96% of genera and species. Seven genera consisting of 85 species, which were moderately (4 genera and 32 species) or largely dominant (3 genera and 53 species), accounted for 18.92 and 62.04% of the total number genera and species, respectively, which are major components of the flora. The geographical elements of the flora are divided into six types and four variants, which exhibit temperate distribution and its variants. The dominant life form is perennial herbs (116 species, accounted for 84.67%), followed by annual herb (21 species, accounted for 15.33%). The ecotype is dominated by mesophytes (63 species, accounted for 45.99%), xerophytes (61 species, accounted for 44.53%) and a small number of hygrophytes (13 species, accounted for 9.49%), showing close relationship with grassland and meadow. These results indicated that this region was more suitable for the growth of perennial xerophytes and mesophytes of Gramineae, and the geographical distribution type of gramineous plants in this area was in agreement with the geographical location of the area.