Table 1 Location and environmental data of the four field sites in the Inner Mongolia Steppe
Site | Longitude (°E) | Latitude (°N) | Altitude (m) | Mean annual precipitation (mm) | Annual mean temperature (°C) | Sunshine duration (h/year) | Aridity index (AI) | Moisture types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Xilinhaote | 115°55′19” | 44°28′31” | 990 | 281 | 2.35 | 2932 | 0.174 | Semi-arid |
Siziwang | 111°53′22” | 41°47′28” | 1492 | 240 | 3.40 | 3065 | 0.128 | Arid |
Etuoke | 107°58′02” | 39°07′02” | 1500 | 210 | 6.40 | 3050 | 0.070 | Very arid |
Alashanzuo | 105°41′34” | 38°19′47” | 1561 | 110 | 7.80 | 3200 | 0.034 | Intensively arid |