The Tarim River, the longest inland river of China, runs in a specific region—the extreme dry area of the Taklimakan Desert. Natural vegetation in the Tarim River basin plays a very important role both in conservation of biodiversity and reduction of desertification. During the past 50 years, human activities related to water resource development have significantly changed natural ecological processes of the Tarim River watershed, especially the lower reaches from Daxihaizi Reservoir to Tatema Nor. In order...