不同生境下红砂(Reaumuria soongorica)的生理生化特征及适应性

测定了荒漠地区超旱生小灌木红砂在3种生境(山前荒漠、山前戈壁和中游戈壁)下的叶片水分状态、抗氧化酶活性及渗透调节物质含量,以探讨荒漠植物在不同生境下的生理生化特征及对荒漠极端环境的适应机制。结果表明:在3种生境下,红砂叶片相对含水量和叶片水势随着土壤含水量的下降而下降,叶绿素含量随着土壤含水量的下降而升高。随着生境土壤干旱的加剧,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)及过氧化物酶(POD)活性逐渐升高,而过氧化氢酶活性下降。在土壤含水量较少的戈壁生境,渗透调节物质含量上升。SOD和POD活性的升高是红砂抵御干旱环境的主要抗氧化保护机制;渗透调节在红砂叶片适应干旱胁迫的过程中发挥着重要作用,高的渗透调节能力使红砂在水分不足的条件下维持较低的渗透势,有利于植物吸水,从而增强其耐旱性。     

Comparison of anatomical structure and photosynthetic characteristics between the two photosynthetic organs of the desert plant Hedysarum scoparium

The desert plant Hedysarum scoparium uses leaflets and rachises as its photosynthetic organs. The abundance of leaflets was lower under unfavorable environmental conditions and higher with improved water conditions. To examine the characteristics associated with the adaptation of H. scoparium to its environment, we selected plants with both compound leaves and rachis without leaflets to study the anatomical structures and gas exchange characteristics of the two organs. The results show that the water storage tissues in rachises were more developed compared with the leaflets. The diurnal courses of the net photosynthetic rate for the rachis and the leaflet were both in a bimodal pattern. Meanwhile, both two peak values of the rachis were significantly higher than those of the leaflet. The daily average transpiration rate was significantly higher in the rachis than in the leaflet in order to lower the temperature of the rachises. It was concluded that under desert drought conditions, the leaflets of H. scoparium were partially or completely degraded to reduce the transpiration area as an adaptive response to water deficit, and only the rachises were retained as photosynthetic organ. The rachises were found to be better suited to a desert habitat than the leaflets.     

Microfungal community associated with rhizosphere soil of Zygophyllum qatarense in arid habitats of Bahrain

Population density and species diversity of microfungal communities were investigated in the rhizosphere soil of the halophytic plant Zygophyllum qatarense inhabiting saline and nonsaline habitats of the arid desert environment of Bahrain. Unlike the nonsaline habitat which is situated in the physiographic zone of multiple escarpment and backslopes, the saline site is located in the coastal lowlands and is featured by high chloride content, electrical conductivity, total soluble salts and low organic matter. Soils of both habitats are sandy, slightly alkaline, poor in nutrient sources, low in water-holding capacity and mainly dominated by a salt-tolerant flora. Quantification of data for the recovery of fungi were based on colony identification and counts by a series of ten-fold dilutions plate method, using various natural, synthetic and selective media. A total of 2780 isolates, fluctuating between 25 and 1109 per sample, were recovered during the present study among all habitats, seasons and plant sizes. Grouping of these isolates has resulted in a maximum of 28 fungal taxa varied between 5 and 15 species, of which 24 were hyphomycetes, 3 ascomycetes and one was an unknown species. All the recorded species in this study, excluding the genus Fusarium, are newly reported from the arid terrestrial habitats of Bahrain. Of the encountered fungi,Cladosporium sphaerospermum was the most dominant and frequent genus, among all plant sizes, followed by Penicillium citrinam and Aspergillus fumigatus, a finding with consistent documented data from similar arid Sahara ecosystems. Examination of data, supported by analysis of relative density values, percentage recovery rates, polar ordination and diversity indices revealed that the nonsaline habitat during the dry period yielded the highest isolate frequency, species abundance, and diversity when compared with the saline habitat. Moreover, a progressive increase in colony occurrence and species diversity was equivalently associated with increment in plant size in the nonsaline habitat. Apparently, the vast majority (moderate to low occurrence class) of the reported species are rhizosphere indigenous saprophytic cellulose-decomposers, whilst the sparse taxa (high occurrence class), e.g. C. sphaerospermum, are regarded as thermo-osmotolerant. Comparison of species richness among samples suggests that small plants inhabiting nonsaline habitats during the wet and dry season were richest in species composition. It is proposed that inter- and intra-specific variation in fungal community between the above habitats reflect not only the influence of plant age and season but also extends to critical multi-soil edaphic and biotic factors involving essentially soil moisture, salinity and root growth dynamic and exudates.     

科尔沁沙地沙质草地与固定沙丘植物群落结构对极端干旱的响应

为了探究沙地植物群落结构特征对极端干旱的响应,通过野外模拟试验开展了极端干旱（生长季减雨60%与干旱60 d）对沙质草地和固定沙丘植物群落丰富度、地上生物量和叶性状等群落结构特征影响的研究。结果表明：（1）生境变化对植物群落地上生物量和叶干物质含量（LDMC）具有显著影响（P<0.05）,草地地上生物量和LDMC显著高于固定沙丘,而物种数、植被盖度、高度和比叶面积（SLA）在两种生境间无显著差异（P>0.05）;（2）极端干旱处理显著影响沙地植物群落盖度、地上生物量和LDMC（P<0.05）,减雨60%显著降低了植物群落盖度和地上生物量,而干旱60 d显著降低了植物群落盖度、地上生物量、高度和LDMC;植被特征和叶性状在减雨60%和干旱60 d处理间无显著差异（P>0.05）;（3）减雨60%和干旱60 d显著降低了草地和固定沙丘的植被盖度和地上生物量,而干旱60 d也降低了固定沙丘的植物高度和LDMC（P<0.05）;（4）相关分析表明,沙地植物群落地上生物量与盖度、高度和LDMC显著正相关（P<0.05）。极端干旱事件的发生会极大地改变沙地一年生为主的植物群落组成和功能,而沙地不同生境植被则通过改变植物群落组成、优势种及其关键性状的变化来适应极端干旱。     

科尔沁沙地植被演替的抗逆性特征

在科尔沁不同类型沙地上选择了几种优势植物,通过自然脱水、高温处理过程中抗逆生理指标的测定和叶形态观测,研究了它们的抗逆方式和生理抗逆性差异与科尔沁沙地植被演潜规律的关系。结果表明,在自然脱水、高温处理中流动沙地上的沙米和欧亚旋覆花叶片迅速脱水死亡,而细胞内膜脂过氧化作用强烈引起细胞膜严重受损是其死亡的主要原因;半流动沙地上的差不嘎蒿在胁迫过程中叶变黄,但在复水后能恢复生长,这与其胁迫过程中游离脯氨酸含量增加维持叶渗透压减少水分过度丧失有关,半固定沙地芦苇在胁迫过程中叶干枯死亡,这与其细胞保护酶反应迟钝,积累的氧自由基引起膜脂过氧化作用伤害了膜系统有关;固定沙地上的狗尾草、白草在胁迫过程中萎蔫,复水后恢复生长,生理变化表现为保护酶对胁迫反应快,可溶性糖、游离脯氨酸含量增加,是一真正生理抗逆植物。在生境从流动沙地向固定沙地演变过程中,植物抗逆性在植被演替序列中起重要作用,其演替规律为:①从躲避干旱向生理抗旱发展,其中流动沙地上的沙米、欧亚旋覆花以种子形式躲避逆境,固定沙地的白草以生理抗旱为主;②从抗风沙型向抗旱性发展,如流动半流动沙地的差不嘎蒿具有抗沙埋、抗旱特性,固定沙地上的白草的抗沙埋性差,抗旱性较强;③生存方式从单一型向多元化发展,沙米主要以种子保存物种,白草则可通过种子和根茎上芽行营养繁殖保存生命;④从多重抗性向寡抗性发展,流动沙地的沙米抗风沙、抗高温、抗干旱,而固定沙地的白草只抗干旱。     

Growth and water relation parameters in drought-stressed Coriaria nepalensis seedlings

In the present study, growth and water relation parameters were analysed in drought-stressed Coriaria nepalensis Wall. seedlings. C. nepalensis seedlings were subjected to four drought cycles of 7, 14, 21, and 28-days, and to one control level (watered on alternate days) in a glasshouse. The seedlings failed to survive a 28-days drought during summer. Osmotic adjustment (defined as the decrease in osmotic potential at zero or full turgor in response to water deficit) was measured as the difference between the osmotic potential of seedlings watered on alternate days (control) and those subjected to 21-days drought cycle. Seedlings subjected to 21-days drought had a predawn water potential of −2.60 MPa, and showed an osmotic adjustment of −1.95 MPa at full turgor and −2.17 MPa at zero turgor. The growth of seedlings was positively related to moisture and with water potential. With decline in soil moisture the root:shoot ratio increased while leaf weight ratio decreased. Leaf characteristics, such as leaf number, leaf area, leaf area ratio, specific leaf area and leaf drop, were also affected by moisture stress. This study has indicated that osmotic adjustment is a major adaptive mechanism of C. nepalensis that aids successful regeneration of seedlings in degraded sites with inhospitable soil conditions.     

荒漠灌木逆境适应性研究进展

荒漠区具有干旱、高温、强光复合逆境的特点,荒漠灌木为了适应其特定的生境条件,在长期的进化过程中形成了一系列抵御逆境的生理生态适应机制。从形态结构特性和水势、光合特性、气孔导度、蒸腾特性、渗透调节、抗氧化保护等生理生化特性方面,回顾了荒漠灌木对干旱、高温、强光的适应对策和机制,进而分析了在上述领域应重点研究的问题。     

中国草地农业气候分区及其饲草栽培适宜性

为了草地农业区域优化发展，依W Koppen世界气候分类途径，进行了中国气候分类及草地农业气候分区，依据相应途径，制作了中国饲草寒冷度分区图和中国饲草炎热度分区图，分析了各饲草气候区适宜的饲草作物种类及管理对策。中国气候及草地农业气候有17个类型，归并为6个饲草气候系统，中国饲草寒冷度分11个区，中国饲草炎热度分8个区。每个气候系统及寒冷度分区和炎热度分区内，分别有适宜的饲草作物，其评价标准为：生态适应、生长状态正常、发挥潜在遗传产量、有经济效益。干旱饲草气候系统发展低密度放牧饲养，湿润饲草气候系统发展规模化集约饲养，为中国草地畜牧业生产模式的基本理论选择。     

Adaptive evolution of rbcL in Reaumuria soongarica (Tamaricaceae)

In the field of phylogenetic analyses, the rbcL gene encoded large subunit Ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco, EC4.1.1.39), which plays a crucial role in the process of photosynthesis for most terrestrial plants, has been considered to be conserved; however, recent controversy regarding rbcL conservation has appeared since it was proposed to be under natural selection within all principal lineages of land plants. In this study, by examining the variation of DNA and protein sequences among 17 species in the family Tamaricaceae, three nonsynonymous mutations were identified to be under positive selection. The favored sites were located in the alph-helix domains of Rubisco, with decreased hydrophobicity and increased entropy, which could facilitate CO₂ penetration into the active site of Rubisco. We also found that the expression level of rbcL in different genotypes of Reaumuria soongarica shifted in response to various stresses such as drought, temperature, salt, and light. This study not only sheds light on the functional/structural features of Rubisco in the evolution scenarios from C₃-like into C₄ in Tamaricaceae but also provides useful information on directing genetic performance to enhance photosynthesis efficiency of desert plants for sustaining fragile desert ecosystems; furthermore, it promotes the ability to cope with desert aridification and global warming.     

Plant–water relationships and growth strategies of Jatropha curcas L. seedlings under different levels of drought stress

Although Jatropha curcas, an important tropical biofuel crop, is reputed for its drought resistance, its ability to perform under dry conditions has hardly been investigated. In a greenhouse experiment we investigated the plant–water relationships of Jatropha seedlings from different accessions under different levels of drought stress. There was little difference in plant–water relations between accessions. Drought significantly reduced leaf area, biomass and relative growth rate, but had no effect on specific leaf area, daily range in leaf water potential, leaf water content, transpiration efficiency or aboveground biomass water productivity, corrected for atmospheric conditions. Stem wood density was equally low (0.26 g cm^?3) for all treatments. Stem water content was lowest for dry treatment seedlings. Based on these results, Jatropha could be characterized as a stem-succulent tree. In contrast to other stem-succulent deciduous trees, leaves were not shed immediately after the seedlings were confronted with drought. Instead, at the onset of drought, leaves with a higher adaxial stomatal density were formed, after which leaves were only gradually shed. The role of the succulent stem in the water economy of Jatropha was confined to balancing the small water losses of the leaves during drought.     

Photosynthetic responses of Larrea tridentata to a step-increase in atmospheric CO2at the Nevada Desert FACE Facility

Of all terrestrial ecosystems, the productivity of deserts has been suggested to be the most responsive to increasing atmospheric CO₂. The extent to which this prediction holds will depend in part on plant responses to elevated CO₂under the highly variable conditions characteristic of arid regions. The photosynthetic responses ofLarrea tridentata , an evergreen shrub, to a step-increase in atmospheric CO₂(to 550 μmolmol⁻¹) were examined in the field using Free-Air CO₂Enrichment (FACE) under seasonally varying moisture conditions. Elevated CO₂substantially increased net assimilation rate (A_net) in Larrea during both moist and dry periods of the potential growing season, while stomatal conductance (g_s) did not differ between elevated and ambient CO₂treatments. Seasonal and diurnal gas exchange dynamics in elevated CO₂mirrored patterns in ambient CO₂, indicating that elevated CO₂did not extend photosynthetic activity longer into the dry season or during more stressful times of the day. Net assimilation vs. internal CO₂(A/C_i) responses showed no evidence of photosynthetic down-regulation during the dry season. In contrast, after significant autumn rains, A_max(the CO₂saturated rate of photosynthesis) and CE (carboxylation efficiency) were lower in Larrea under elevated CO₂. In situ chlorophyll fluorescence estimation ofLarrea Photosystem II efficiency (F_v/F_m) responded more to water limitation than to elevated CO₂. These findings suggest that predictions regarding desert plant responses to elevated CO₂should account for seasonal patterns of photosynthetic regulatory responses, which may vary across species and plant functional types.     

Eco-physiological mechanisms of Caragana korshinskii Kom. adaptation to extreme drought stress: Leaf abscission and maintaining stem chloroplast integrity

In order to study the eco-physiological mechanisms of C. korshinskii adaptation to extreme drought stress, we investigated the variations of water content in soil, leaves, and stems, the chlorophyll a and b and the carotenoid content in leaves and stems, as well as changes of chloroplast ultrastructure in 2-year-old C. korshinskii specimens during a progressive soil drought process (by ceasing watering until all leaves were shed) and a subsequent rehydration process. During the dehydration process, the chlorophyll a and b and carotenoid contents in the leaves decreased, as did the carotenoid content in the stems. During the 4-day rehydration process, the chlorophyll a and b and carotenoid contents in the leaves and stems increased and gradually returned to normal levels. During ongoing drought stress, chloroplasts in the leaves broke away from cell walls and appeared in the center of cells. Under severe drought stress, the mesophyll ultrastructure and chloroplast configuration in leaves were irreversibly disturbed, as manifested by the inner and outer membranes being destroyed; the thylakoid system disintegrated, the starch grain disappeared, and parts of cell tissue were dismantled into debris. However, the mesophyll ultrastructure and chloroplast configuration in the stems remained complete. This indicates that C. korshinskii utilizes leaf abscission to reduce the surface area to avoid damage from extreme drought stress, and maintains chloroplast integrity and a considerable amount of chlorophyll to enable a rapid recovery of photosynthesis under the rehydration process.     

Physiological and growth responses of Populus davidiana ecotypes to different soil water contents

Changes in dry matter accumulation and allocation, gas exchange, abscisic acid content (ABA) and water use efficiency (WUE) of three contrasting Populus davidiana ecotypes were recorded after exposure to five different soil water contents. The ecotypes used were from dry, middle and wet climate regions, respectively. In the controlled environment study, five different soil water contents which were watered to 100%, 80%, 60%, 40% and 20% field capacity were used, respectively. Significant differences in height growth (HT), total biomass (TB), total leaf area (LA), total leaf number (TLN), specific leaf area (SLA), root/shoot ratio (RS), net photosynthesis (A), transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (C), transpiration efficiency (WUE_T) and instantaneous water use efficiency (WUE_i) between the ecotypes were detected under all soil water contents. Ecotypic differences in ABA and carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C) were also detected under low soil water contents, but these differences were not significant under high soil water content. Compared with the wet climate ecotype, the dry climate ecotype had lower HT, TB, LA, TLN, SLA, A, E and C, and higher RS, WUE_T and WUE_i under all soil water contents. On the other hand, the dry climate ecotype also exhibited higher ABA and δ¹³C as affected by low soil water contents than the wet climate ecotype. These morphological and physiological responses to water availability showed that the different ecotypes may employ different survival strategies under drought at the initial phase of seedling growth and establishment. The wet climate ecotype possesses a prodigal water use strategy and quick growth, while the dry climate ecotype exhibits a conservative water use strategies and slow growth.     

Evaluation ofCitrullus colocynthis, a desert plant native in Israel, as a potential source of edible oil

Citrulus colocynthis(wild gourd) is a desert plant of the Cucurbitaceae, naturally adapted to arid environments. It was known in biblical times as a source of seed oil and its fruits were used as an efficient laxative. Accessions were collected in Israel and evaluated as a potential oil seed crop adapted to arid zones. It was found that its oil composition is similar to safflower oil, with a total of 80-85% unsaturated fatty acids. A potential yield of oil of 250-400 l ha⁻¹was calculated. The best yield was obtained during the first 4 weeks of the 10-week maturation period. Yield potential should be estimated under desert conditions in order to evaluate the plant's economic future as a crop suitable for an arid environment.     

濒危灌木沙冬青育苗方式对比试验

采用大田作床、塑料大棚容器、露地容器、移植等育苗方式,通过2 a多的试验观察和分析,结果表明:大田作床育苗的沙冬青根、茎、叶在数量和质量上都优于其它3种育苗方式,且生长健壮,发枝率高,根系分布广,干物质产量高,无病虫害发生。     

干旱胁迫对不同株型玉米大喇叭口期生长的影响

干旱胁迫条件下,在大喇叭口期对2种株型玉米自交系(紧凑株型的廊黄及昌7-2和平展株型的TS141)的形态、生理生化特性进行了研究。结果表明: (1)干旱胁迫导致3个自交系的叶夹角、叶长、叶宽和株高趋于减小,叶向值增大;与廊黄及昌7-2相比,干旱胁迫后, TS141的叶夹角、叶长、叶宽及株高有较大的降低幅度,叶向值有较小的增加幅度。(2)干旱胁迫处理后,3个自交系的地上部鲜重、地下部鲜重、鲜干比、根长和根数都有不同程度的下降;根冠比加大;与TS141相比,廊黄及昌7-2变化的幅度较小;紧凑株型玉米自交系在干旱胁迫下仍能保持较正常的根系形态。(3)干旱胁迫后,3个自交系的相对电导率、丙二醛、脯氨酸、可溶性糖含量、保护酶活性都有不同程度的升高,相对电导率及丙二醛含量在TS141中的上升幅度大于廊黄和昌7-2,而脯氨酸、可溶性糖含量以及保护酶活性在廊黄和昌7-2中上升的幅度大于TS141。(4)干旱胁迫后,3个自交系的雌、雄穗发育都受到不同程度的影响,但廊黄及昌7-2受到的影响小于TS141,花丝数量远远多于TS141。     

Biophysical properties and biomass production of elephant grass under saline conditions

Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) is a new fast-growing alternative forage crop. However, salinity is a major concern for its production in the arid south-western United States. This study was conducted in the arid Imperial Valley of Southern California to evaluate salt tolerance of elephant grass. Salinity treatments were created in field plots irrigated with water possessing an electrical conductivity (EC_iw) of 1·5, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 dS m⁻¹, respectively. Canopy spectral reflectance, temperature, plant height, leaf area index (LAI), chlorophyll-SPAD meter readings, and dry weights were measured over time. Results indicated that canopy reflectance in the near-infrared spectral region was reduced incrementally with increasing levels of salt stress. Canopy temperature increased with increasing salinity, especially at longer times after salinity treatment. Plant height and LAI were reduced with increasing salinity. Biomass accumulation was reduced incrementally with increasing salinity. About 50% yield reduction was found when EC_iw increased from 5 to 25 dS m⁻¹. The study shows that elephant grass is sensitive to salt stress, and relatively low salinity must be maintained to achieve a high rate of growth and biomass production.     

沙漠腹地醉鱼草（Buddleja alternifolia） 栽培苗对水盐胁迫的响应

为了研究盐、旱及其交互胁迫下植物生长和生理特性的变化，了解沙漠腹地极端生境下互 叶醉鱼草（Buddleja alternifolia）幼苗的适应性，确定合理的灌溉方式，为沙漠腹地醉鱼草的引种提 供理论依据。通过大田控制实验，设计了 3 个水分梯度和 4 个盐分梯度随机结合实验，定位测量生 长量和生化指标，最后基于隶属函数法综合评价醉鱼草的抗旱耐盐性。结果表明：（1）在干旱胁迫 或低浓度盐胁迫下，醉鱼草的地径、新枝和冠幅生长量均呈上升趋势，而在高盐浓度胁迫下均降 低；水盐交互胁迫下,不同的盐浓度与干旱交互胁迫效果不同,低盐浓度与干旱交互胁迫时（W1S1、 W2S1），植物生长量均上升，高盐浓度与干旱交互胁迫时（W1S3、W2S3），植物生长量均降低。（2）无论 是盐胁迫、干旱胁迫还是盐、旱交互胁迫，醉鱼草游离脯氨酸（Pro）含量随着胁迫程度的增加均呈显 著上升的趋势。（3）醉鱼草的超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性和过氧化物酶（POD）活性变化相对复杂， 除了在干旱胁迫时，SOD 活性和 POD 活性都显著下降外,在盐胁迫和交互胁迫时它们各自的变化并 不一致。醉鱼草在盐胁迫、交叉胁迫和干旱胁迫时，渗透调节物质和酶活性各自对应的发生了变 化，没有明显的同步性，存在相互协调的可能，同时植物细胞的敏感性远远强于表型生长的变化， 高盐浓度的伤害并没有表现在植物外部形态上，但酶活性及渗透调节物质却有显著变化。通过隶 属函数分析显示，醉鱼草最佳的生长水盐条件是盐浓度为 8 g·L^-1、灌水量为 25 L·次^-1，对水盐胁迫 的抗旱耐盐性为：干旱胁迫＞交互胁迫＞盐胁迫。     

塔里木沙漠公路防护林植物沙拐枣气体交换特性对干旱胁迫的响应

利用LI-6400光合作用系统测定了干旱胁迫和正常灌溉两种处理下,塔里木沙漠公路防护林中乔木状沙拐枣（Calligonum arborescens）净光合速率、蒸腾速率以及水分利用效率等气体交换特性的日变化及季节变化动态。分析得出：两种处理下沙拐枣净光合速率在不同生长季的日变化动态均为单峰型;蒸腾速率除8月干旱胁迫处理下表现出微弱的双峰变化外,其余也为单峰型;干旱胁迫显著降低了沙拐枣的光合能力和蒸腾能力,而且随着干旱胁迫时间的持续,净光合速率和蒸腾速率降低的幅度在不断增加。干旱胁迫所引起的土壤含水量的降低和植物体内的水分亏缺并没有提高沙拐枣的水分利用效率,反而使其有着明显的下降。但尽管如此,沙拐枣在持续干旱的情况下依然能够维持生长,它通过适当降低蒸腾减少水分散失和降低光补偿点以提高弱光利用能力等方法来进行必要的光合积累,这说明沙拐枣有着极强的耐旱能力和适应极端环境的本领,而且通过沙拐枣在长期干旱胁迫处理下的顽强表现,也充分说明沙漠公路防护林在人工管理过程中依然存在着进一步节水的可能性。     

Livestock responses to droughts and severe winter weather in the Gobi Three Beauty National Park, Mongolia

We investigated how both droughts and dzuds (severe winter weather) control livestock mortality in a non-equilibrium steppe ecosystem of Mongolia, Gobi Three Beauty National Park. These steppe ecosystems have developed under high interannual variability of rainfall and nomadic grazing systems. Interannual precipitation variation was 39%, with 128 mm mean annual precipitation. The effect of climate variability and extreme events on livestock mortality is a critical aspect for the Mongolian economy. Analysis of drought and precipitation variability on livestock mortality rate was not significantly influenced by the index of mean annual precipitation and annual winter temperature. Overall, unlike hot dry regions, pastoral livestock mortality in the cold dry regions was affected more by dzuds and annual growing seasonal rain than by droughts. Dzuds can be frequent events, occurring as often as once every 2 and 3 years within a decade. The average annual livestock mortality for the combined drought and dzuds years (18%) was 4.8% greater than the years with dzuds alone, and 7% greater than in years with only drought. Thus livestock mortality appears to be more sensitive to dzuds than to droughts, and that dzuds contributes more to livestock mortality even years where combined drought and winter storms occur.