Populus euphratica Forest in Hotan

　　Populus euphratica trees thrive in sunlight, tolerate heat, drought, and saline-alkali conditions, and are highly adaptable with rapid growth. However, they cannot endure prolonged low humidity and strong alkalinity or heavy clay soils. They cannot survive in deserts without access to groundwater or flowing water, making them typical phreatophytic xerophytes. As a result, they grow in a "corridor"-like pattern along both banks of rivers and are one of the desert riparian tree species formed under arid, sandy, and saline conditions. Due to their unique physiological characteristics, their ecological role is irreplaceable. Populus euphratica trees can live for a very long time — for example, there is a tree by the Andir River in Minfeng County that stands 32 meters tall, has a trunk circumference of 5.5 meters, and is 240 years old, yet still flourishes with lush foliage. The young trees are rich in protein, sugar, and various trace elements needed by livestock, offering high nutritional value. The forest floor supports a dense layer of grass, which benefits the growth of medicinal plants such as licorice and Apocynum pictum. Populus euphratica also provides habitat for wildlife including deer and Mongolian gazelles, giving it significant ecological and economic importance.