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The selection of tree species resistant to drought, cold, salt and other natural and anthropogenic stressors is important for the success of afforestation processes especially when these take place in desert and semi-desert regions of Mongolia. The seven woody species (Tamarix ramosissima, Ulmus pumila, Elaeagnus moorcroftii, Hippophae rhamnoides, Caragana microphylla, Armeniaca sibirica, Amygdalus pedunculata) were grown under four different watering regimes and nine years of continuous monitoring conducted on the growth performances. All measured growth traits (root collar diameter, stem height, and survival rate) showed significant differences between treatments and species. The best performance of stem height and root collar diameter was observed in T. ramosissima and E. moorcroftii whereas A. pedunculata presented be lowest values. Ulmus pumila, E. moorcroftii and T. ramosissima showed the highest survival rate compared with all other species. However, control plants showed a 0% survival rate in 2016. Date presented here suggest that native species are characterized by the best adaptive characteristics compared to non-native species, which species are the best candidates to be used for afforestation processes of desert and semi-deserts areas.

We measured the basal diameter, height and crown size of saxaul trees, and used survival curve and static life table in defining population structure and dynamics of H. ammodendron. The static life-table proved that population size in the first three age classes had high range of variation, seedlings, juveniles and small trees, and had a high rate of mortality. Because, considerable number of individuals was in the early life stage of H. ammodendron, the deficit of seedlings and high mortality of seedlings and juveniles are most considerable problems. The results suggest that studied populations of H. ammodendron are depleted, and efforts are required to minimize uncontrolled exploitation and overgrazing.