Response mechanisms of desert plants to global change in extreme arid regions

Graduate Program: Resources and Environment

Specialization/Focus: Desertification Control/Ecological Restoration

Education Experience

Sep. 2013-Jun. 2018 Ph.D. in Ecology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Sep. 2007-Jun. 2010 M.Sc. in Plant Nutrition, Shihezi University

Sep. 2003-Jun. 2007 B.Sc. in Agricultural Resources and Environment, Agricultural University of Hebei

Work Experience

Dec. 2022-Present Associate Professor, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Jan. 2013-Nov. 2022 Assistant Professor, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Aug. 2010-Dec. 2012 Assistant Professor, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Major Science and Technology Project：

“Development and Application of a Sustainable Management Technology System for the Stable Maintenance of Stress-Tolerant Trees and Grasses”

Funding: CNY 4,000,000 | Duration: 2025–2029

Role: Principal Investigator (PI).

Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) “West Light Foundation” Young Scholars Program:

“Mechanisms of Increased Rainfall and Nitrogen-Phosphorus Deposition on Plant Community Structure in the Taklimakan Desert.”

Funding: CNY 1,000,000 | Duration: 2025–2027

Role: Principal Investigator (PI).

National Key R&D Program (Inter-governmental International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Project):

“Response Mechanisms of China-Egypt Desert Ecosystem Productivity to Extreme Drought.”

Funding: CNY 2,000,000 | Duration: 2024–2026

Role: Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI).

National Key R&D Program Subproject (2022YFF1302505-03):

“Research and Demonstration of Near-Natural Construction Techniques for Precision Improvement of Ecological Quality and Sand Control Function in Tarim Basin Shelterbelt Systems.”

Funding: CNY 830,000 | Duration: 2022–2025

Role: Principal Investigator (PI).

CAS Talent Program (E2190102):

“Molecular Biological Basis and Compensatory Mechanisms of Alhagi sparsifolia.”

Funding: CNY 1,000,000 | Duration: 2022–2024

Role: Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI).

CAS Youth Innovation Promotion Association Project (2020435):

Funding: CNY 800,000 | Duration: 2020–2023

Role: Principal Investigator (PI).

Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region “Tianshan Talents Program” (Phase III):

Funding: CNY 150,000 | Duration: 2021–2023

Role: Principal Investigator (PI).

CAS “West Light Foundation” Category B Project (2018-XBQNXZ-B-018):

“Growth Responses of Alhagi sparsifolia and Karelinia caspia to Nitrogen Deposition in the Oasis-Desert Transition Zone of Hotan.”

Funding: CNY 400,000 | Duration: 2019–2021

Role: Principal Investigator (PI).

National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Youth Program (31500367):

“Responses of Nutrient Utilization in Deep-Rooted Xerophyte Alhagi sparsifolia to Groundwater Depth in Arid Zones.”

Funding: CNY 230,000 | Duration: 2016–2018

Role: Principal Investigator (PI).

CAS Science and Technology Service Network Initiative (STS Program, KFJ-SW-STS-176):

“Research and Demonstration of Technological Models for Increasing Income in Circular Economy-Based Rural Farming Communities.”

Funding: CNY 1,500,000 | Duration: 2015–2017

Role: Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI).

2025 - Present Journal of Ecology (Chinese) Editor

2025 - Present Geographical Science (Chinese) Young Editor

2025 - Present Arid Zone Research (Chinese) Young Editor

2023 - 2025 Journal of Ecology (Chinese) Young Editor

2023 - Present British Ecological Society Review College Member

2023 - Present Journal of Plant Ecology Young Editor

2022 - present Frontiers in Plant Science Associate Editor

Zuo XA, Song ZB, van der Plas F, Wang SP, Collins S, Smith M, Sternberg M, Liang MW, Wu HH, He YL, Diao HJ, Dong KH, Liu JL, Peng DQ, Wei CZ, Cao D, An H, Liu SX, Zhang FW, Tian DS, Zhang B, Zong N, Miao YJ, Xu C, Ke YG, Yue P, YuQ, Zhu JT, Hautier Y. Aridity regulates scale-dependent effects of multiple resource additions on productivity stability in Eurasian grasslands. Nature Communications. 2026, doi:10.1038/s41467-026-78043-5.

Bondaruk VF, Xu C, Wilfahrt P, Yahdjian L, Yu Q*, Borer ET, Jentsch A, Seabloom E, Smith MD, Alberti J, Oñatibia G, Dieguez H, Carbognani M, Kübert A, Power SA, Eisenhauer N, Isbell F, Auge H, Chandregowda MH, Churchill AC, Daleo P, Forte T, Greenville AC, Koerner SE, Ohlert T, Peri P, Petraglia A, Salesa D, Tedder M, Valdecantos A, Verhoeven E, Wardle GM, Werner C, Wheeler G, An H, Biancari L, Diao H, Gutknecht J, Han L, Ke YG, Liu J, Maziko Y, Tian D, Tissue D, Wanke S, Wei C, Wilkins K, Wu H, Young A, Zhang F, Zhang B, Zhu, J, Zong N, Zuo X, Hautier Y. Aridity modulates grassland biomass responses to combined drought and utrient addition. Nature Ecology & Evolution. 2025, doi : 10.1038/s41559-025-02705-8.

Wang TT, Xie MY, Li L*, Jia N, Zhang ZH, Lu Y, Zhang B, Liu YL, Li XY. Altered precipitation patterns raise the risk of reduction in depositednitrogen induced carbon sinks in an alpine grassland. Catena. 2025, 257: 109179.

Tang GL, Li XY, Zeng FJ, Ma JN, Guan PY*, Zhang B*.Exploring the Genetic Basis of Drought Tolerance in Alhagi camelorum: A Comprehensive Transcriptome Study of Osmotic Stress Adaptations. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024, 25: 12725.

Yu YC, Pan JX, Wu HH, Zhu JT, Zong Ning, An H, Wang CH, Zuo XA, Wei CZ, Zhang FW, Liu S, Liu JL, Diao HJ, Zhang B, Yu Q*, Zhang XY*. Factors controlling the contributions of bacterial and fungal residue carbon to soil organic carbon in grassland ecosystems. Catena. 2024, 241:108006.

Shareef M, Zeng FJ, Gui DW, Ahmed Z, Waqas M, Iqbal H, Zhang B, Waseem M. Recovery Efficacy of Differentially Applied Nitrogen Regulates the Metabolism Coupled Physiological Phenotyping of Cotton on Leaching Prone Sandy Soil of Desert. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. 2024, doi: 10.1007/s42729-024-02089-x.

Zhang ZH, Tang GL, Chai XT, Liu B, Gao XP, Zeng FJ, Wang Y, Zhang B*. Different Responses of Soil Bacterial and Fungal Communities in Three Typical Vegetations following Nitrogen Deposition in an Arid Desert. Microorganisms. 2023, doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11102471.

Zhang ZH, Chai XT, Zhang B, Lu Y, Gao YJ, Zhang B, Tariq A, Li XY, Zeng FJ. Potential role of root-associated bacterial communities in adjustments of desert plant physiology to osmotic stress. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108124.

Zhang YL, Du Y, Guo ZC, Chai XT, Zhang B, Tariq A, Zhang ZH, Zeng FJ. Intraspecific trait variation and coordination of leaf economics spectrum in elaeagnus angustifolia across three basins in central asia. Plant Ecology. 2023. 224: 325–334.

Zhang B*, Zeng FJ, Gao XJ, Shareef M, Zhang ZH, Yu Q, Gao YJ, Li CJ, Yin H, Lu Y, Huang CB, Tang GL. Groundwater depth alters soil nutrient concentrations in different environments in an arid desert. Frontiers in Environmental Science. 2022, doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2022.939382.

Zhang ZH, Chai XT, Gao YJ, Zhang B, Lu Y, Huang CB, Li L, Tariq A, Li XY, Zeng FJ. Dynamics in diversity, co-occurrence pattern, and community assembly of a perennial desert plant root-associated bacteria. Rhizosphere. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.rhisph.2022.100526.

Zhang ZH, Chai XT, Gao YJ, Zhang B, Lu Y, Du Y, Zhang YL, Ding Y, Tariq A, Ullah A,, Li XY, Zeng FJ. Alhagi sparsifolia Harbors a Different Root‐Associated Mycobiome during Different Development Stages. Microorganisms 2022, doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10122376.

Gao YJ, Zhang ZH, Zhang B, Yin H, Chai XT, Xu MQ, Tariq A, Zeng FJ. Foliar P-Fractions Allocation of Karelinia caspia and Tamarix ramosissima Are Driven by Soil and Groundwater Properties in a Hyper-Arid Desert Ecosystem. Frontiers in Plant Science. 2022, doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.833869.

Zhang B*, Tang GL, Yin H, Zhao SL, Shareef M, Liu B, Gao XP, Zeng FJ. Groundwater Depths Affect Phosphorus and Potassium Resorption but Not Their Utilization in a Desert Phreatophyte in Its Hyper-Arid Environment. Frontiers in Plant Science. 2021, doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.665168.

Zhang B*, Tang GL, Luo HL, Yin H, Zhang ZH, Xue J, Huang CB, Lu Y, Shareef M, Gao XP, Zeng FJ. Topsoil Nutrients Drive Leaf Carbon and Nitrogen Concentrations of a Desert Phreatophyte in Habitats with Different Shallow Groundwater Depths. Water. 2021, 13, 3093, doi:10.3390/w13213093.

Huang CB Zeng FJ, Zhang B, Zhang SM. Water Supply Increases N Acquisition and N Resorption from Old Branches in the Leafless Shrub Calligonum caput-medusae at the Taklimakan Desert Margin. Water. 2021, 13, 3288, doi:10.3390/w13223288.

Lu Y, Zhang B, Li L, Zeng FJ, Li XY. Negative effects of long-term exposure to salinity, drought, and combined stresses on halophyte Halogeton glomeratus. Physiologia Plantarum, 2021, 173:2307–2322.

Lu Y, Zeng FJ, Li XY, Zhang B. Physiological changes of three woody plants exposed to progressive salt stress. Photosynthetica, 2021, 59: 171-184.

Yin H, Zheng HW, Zhang B, Tariq A, Lv GH, Zeng FJ, Graciano C. Stoichiometry of C:N:P in the Roots of Alhagi sparsifolia Is More Sensitive to Soil Nutrients Than Aboveground Organs. Frontiers in Plant Science. 2021, 12:698961, doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.698961.

Yin H, Tariq A, Zhang B, Lv GH, Zeng FJ, Graciano C. Santos M, Zhang ZH, Wang P. Mu S.Y. Coupling Relationship of Leaf Economic and Hydraulic Traits of Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. in a Hyper-Arid Desert Ecosystem. Plants, 2021, 10:1867, doi:10.3390/plants10091867.

Zhang ZH, Tariq A, Zeng FJ, Graciano C, Zhang B. Nitrogen application mitigates drought-induced   metabolic changes in Alhagi sparsifolia seedlings by regulating nutrient and biomass allocation patterns. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 2020, 155: 828–841.

Tang GL, Guo ZC, Zhang B, Li XY, Zeng FJ. Long-term clipping causes carbohydrate accumulation and induced transition of Alhagi sparsifolia from herbs to shrubs. Functional Plant Biology, 2019, 46: 967–985.

Shareef M, Gui DW, Zeng FJ, Waqas M, Zhang B, Iqbal H, Xue J. Nitrogen leaching, recovery efficiency, and cotton productivity assessments on desert-sandy soil under various application methods. Agricultural Water Management, 2019, 223: 1–9.

Shareef M, Zeng FJ, Gui DW, Waqas M, Zhang B, Iqbal H. Water productivity, growth, and physiological assessment of deficit irrigated cotton on hyperarid desert-oases in northwest China. Agricultural Water Management, 2018, 206: 1–10.

Zhang B, Gao XP, Li L, Lu Y, Shareef M, Huang CB, Liu GJ, Gui DW, Zeng FJ. Groundwater depth affects phosphorus but not carbon and nitrogen concentrations of a desert phreatophyte in northwest China. Frontiers in Plant Science, 2018, doi: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00338.

Zhang B, Gui DW, Gao XP, Shareef M, Li L, Zeng FJ. Controlling soil factor in plant growth and salt tolerance of leguminous plant Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. in saline deserts, northwest China. Contemporary Problems of Ecology, 2018, 11: 111–121.

Shareef M, Zeng FJ, Gui DW, Waqas M, Zhang B. Fiaz M. Drought Induced Interactive Changes in Physiological and Biochemical Attributes of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 2018, 20: 539‒546.

Shareef M, Gui DW, Zeng FJ, Ahmed Z, Waqas M, Zhang B. Fiaz M. Impact of drought on assimilates partitioning associated fruiting physiognomies and yield quality attributes of desert grown cotton. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 2018, doi: 10.1007/s11728-018-2646-3.

Wang Y, Chunyu WX, Jiang GQ, Huang L, Zhang B, Ji Y, Ding ZG, Yin M, Tang SK. Aidingibacillus halophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Bacillaceae. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, 2018, 111:601–608.

Li L, Gao XP, Gui DW, Liu B, Zhang B, Li XY. Stoichiometry in aboveground and fne roots of Seriphidium korovinii in desert grassland in response to artifcial nitrogen addition. Journal of Plant Research, 2017, 130: 689–697.

Lu Y, Lei JQ, Zeng FJ, Zhang B, Liu GJ, Liu B. Effect of NaCl-induced changes in growth, photosynthetic characteristics, water status and enzymatic antioxidant system of Calligonum caput-medusae seedlings. Photosynthetica, 2017, 55: 96–106.

Zeng FJ, Zhang B, Lu Y, Li CJ, An GX, Liu B, Gao XP. Morpho-physiological responses of Alhagi Sparsifolia Shap. (Leguminosae) seedlings to progressive drought stress. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 2016, 48(2): 429‒438.

Li CJ, Zeng FJ, Zhang B, Liu B, Guo ZC, Gao HH, Tiyip T. Optimal root system strategies for desert phreatophytic seedlings in the search for groundwater. Journal of Arid Land, 2015, 7(4): 462–474.

Gui DW, Zeng FJ, Liu Z, Zhang B. Characteristics of the clonal propagation of Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. (Fabaceae) under different groundwater depths in Xinjiang, China. The Rangeland Journal, 2013, 35: 355‒362.

Gui DW, Zeng FJ, Liu Z, Zhang B. Root characteristics of Alhagi sparsifolia seedlings in response to water supplement in an arid region, northwestern China. Journal of Arid Land, 2013, 5: 542‒551.

Zhang B, Chu GX, Wei CZ, Ye J, Lei B, Li ZQ, Liang YC. Physiological and biochemical response of wheat seedlings to organic pollutant 1, 2, 4-trichlorobenzene. New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science, 2012, 40: 73‒85.

Zhang B, Chu GX, Wei CZ, Ye J, Li ZQ, Liang YC. The growth and antioxidant defense responses of wheat seedlings to omethoate stress. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology, 2011, 100: 273‒279.

Zhang B, Lv GY, Zeng FJ, Gui DW, Lv CL, Li L. A five ripe method of fruity mulberry in a greenhouse in an inland arid area of Xinjiang in two years. ZL201911028493.9.

Zhang B, Lv CL, Zeng FJ, Gui DW, Lv GY, Li, Huang CB, Wang BD. A method for constructing windbreak forest. ZL201910907964.7.

Zeng FJ, Lei JQ, Mu GJ, Gui DW, Zhang B. A method of planting peripheral economic forest under drip irrigation in the oasis of the arid sandstorm region. National invention patent. Authorization. ZL201510754321.

Liu GJ, Lei JQ, Zeng FJ, Lu Y, Zhang B, Mao DL, Ding XZ. A method of planting an economic forest in an oasis's wind and sand edge. National invention patent. Apply number, ZL201710604938.8.

Liu GJ, Zeng FJ, Li XY, Gui DW, Lu Y, Zhang B. A method of planting Tamarix ramosissima in the sandy soil of the extremely arid area. National invention patent. Apply number, ZL201710604868.6.

Conference Organization:

April 17-20, 2026, The 3rd Young Ecologists Forum, Changsha, Convener, Special Session on Desert Ecology

April 18-21, 2025, The 2nd Young Ecologists Forum, Nanchang, Convener, Special Session on Desert Ecology

April 11-14, 2025, The 17th China Forestry Young Scholars Annual Academic Conference, Jilin, Convener, Special Session on Desertification Control and Construction of 

       the New “Three-North” Shelterbelt Program

October 25-27, 2024, The 23rd China Ecological Congress, Shenyang, Convener, Special Session on Structure, Function, Processes, and Stability of Desert Ecosystems

April 12-15, 2024, The 1st Young Ecologists Forum, Fuzhou, Convener, Special Session on Desert Ecology

April 25-28, 2023, Young Scholars Forum on Arid Zone Ecology and Geography, Urumqi, Executive Secretary of the Forum

Conference Presentations:

Global Change Impacts on the Survival Strategies of Deep-Rooted Plants in Hyperarid Deserts   European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2025   2025-05-01

Impact of Groundwater Levels on Nutrient Cycling and Genetic Metabolism of Deep-Rooted Desert Plants in Hyperarid Regions   The 2nd Young Ecologists Forum   2025-04-20

Impact of Global Change on the Survival Strategies of Deep-Rooted Desert Plants in Hyperarid Regions   The 16th China Forestry Young Scholars Annual Academic Conference  

       2024-11-17

Impact of Global Change on the Growth Strategies of Deep-Rooted Desert Plants   The 23rd China Ecological Congress   2024-10-27

Response Mechanisms of Deep-Rooted Desert Plants in Hyperarid Regions to Global Change   The 2024 Annual Conference of the Grassland Society of China   2024-04-28

2025 Outstanding Annual Performance Evaluation, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

2024 Outstanding Individual in Political Participation and Deliberation Work, China Democratic League Xinjiang Committee.

2023 Outstanding Individual in Political Participation and Deliberation Work, China Democratic League Xinjiang Committee.

2022 Popular Science Education Expert for Xinjiang Youth.

2022 Inaugural Member of Urumqi Hongshan Science Innovation Expert Service Group.

2021 Third Cohort of Talent Cultivation under the “Tianshan Elite Program” of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

2020 Member of the Youth Innovation Promotion Association, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

2018 Outstanding Annual Performance Evaluation, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

2018 Di’ao Scholarship, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

2012 First Prize in the Inaugural Youth Staff Research Paper Competition, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

2011 Outstanding Master’s Thesis of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Call for Graduate Student Applications

    We welcome applications from students who are interested in desert ecosystems. Ideal candidates should be responsible, possess a spirit of inquiry (or: a dedication to research), and be down-to-earth, conscientious, and meticulous in their work. Students with these qualities are encouraged to apply.