Poplar Forests in Tarim Basin

Diversiform - leaved poplar trees in China mainly distribute in Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Qinghai and Ningxia, of which the largest forest grow in the Tarim valley. Situated in Luntai County and Weili County at 40°55  41°15N, and 84°15  85°30E, it covers 3,800 square kilometers. In 1983 it was authorized as a special nature reserve, aiming to protect ancient Diversiform - leaved Poplar forests, red deer and wild camels. Diversiform - leaved poplar is a rare and precious plant in Xinjiang. And in Uygur language it is called “Tuhorak”, meaning “the pretest tree”. It has striking capacity to resist drought, sand and salinization. The poplar alkali secreted from the bark can be used as sola as well as in making medicine and soap, degumming and degreasing. 

Grown-up poplars, strong and tall, stand on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert along the Tarim River, showing diverse poses. They offer lives for the boundless desert, protect the oasis and balance the ecosystem in the desert. Therefore it deserves the name “desert hero”.