Abstract:Sex ratio and spatial distribution of dioecious plants play an important role in reproductive strategy, population evolution, and development. Salix gordejevii, a typical dioecious plant, is an important sand-fixing pioneer plant in Hunshandake Sandy Land and is widely distributed in flowing and semi-flowing sandy land. But the current understanding of the structure and distribution of male and female populations is still limited. In our study, we chose natural populations in Zhagesitai, Yinmajing, Bagelai, and Baoshaodai, and investigated the sex ratio, spatial distribution pattern, and spatial relationship using statistics and point pattern analysis. Our objectives were to examine (1) whether the sex ratio deviated from 1:1 in the S. gordejevii population, and if so, (2) whether the sexual spatial segregation (SSS) phenomenon existed. The results showed that the morphological differences between male and female populations are closely related to the environmental conditions of the population. The sex ratio (female/male) was female-biased (P < 0.01) in different sampling plots (50 m×50 m) and was determined by the number of male and female individuals in diameter classes I and Ⅱ. The sex ratio gradually approached 1:1 as age increased. Male and female populations of each population were mainly distributed in a clumped pattern on a 0-25 m scale, and were occasionally randomly distributed on a small scale. This phenomenon may be because the seed regeneration ability of S. gordejevii is weak, and clonal reproduction ability is strong. The spatial relationships between male and female populations were independent of each other in Zhagesitai, Yinmajing, and Bagelai, which indicated that competition between sexes was not intense. However, the spatial relationship of gender was mutually exclusive in Baoshaodai and SSS existed in the population. This phenomenon is mainly because of the relative lack of resources (e.g., lower soil moisture, organic matter, and total nitrogen) and the close proximity between male and female individuals in Baoshaodai. In conclusion, the sex ratio (female/male) was female-biased in the S. gordejevii population. Male and female populations were mainly distributed in a clumped pattern on all scales, and there was SSS in relatively resource-limited area. In addition, dioecious-plant-population regeneration was influenced by sex ratio and distribution pattern; thus, these should be considered when determining the proportion and spatial location of male and female individuals during afforestation. This study revealed the composition, structure, and distribution of male and female populations of S. gordejevii, and laid a theoretical foundation for improving the stability of the artificial forest community.