Characteristics of Tamarix chinensis Population in Shiwha Lake

For the first time in Korea, plant size, distribution pattern and root growth form of Tamarix chinensis were surveyed at natural stand in Shiwha Lake, from June to July in 2005. T, chinensis grew in the range of 350 m towards north-south and 270 m in east-west direction. The mean number of stems germinated from same root system was 1.9. On the stem base, the numbers of living and dead plants were 1,398 and 114, respectively. Mean perimeter and height of 1,398 plants were cm and cm, respectively. By dividing into 10 classes based on the perimeter size, the largest number of plants were included in the second smallest class category. However, by dividing into 10 classes on the bases of plant height, variation in the number of plants along the height showed normal distribution curve. The heights of dead plants were small in perimeter but diverse in height. On the root base, the number of plants was the greatest in the smallest size class, and conspicuously decreased with size increment. Distribution of T. chinensis was clumped pattern. Age of the largest plant was 8-year. T. chinensis had two types of root growth. One was horizontal growth in the periphery of soil surface, and the other vertical growth.