Abstract: The leaf traits, such as total water content (TWC), relative water content (RWC), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), specific leaf area (SLA), specific leaf volume (SLV), leaf thickness (LT), leaf succulence (Suc), leaf density (LD) under different saline conditions, were studied for 8 natural communities of dominant species of desert plant Lycium ruthenicum at the lower reaches of Heihe River in Ejina Area. The differentiation characteristics of intraspecific traits, the relationship among leaf traits, and the relationship of leaf traits and soil salt were also analyzed. The results showed that the variations of leaf traits ranged from 3.99% to 20.33%, in which TWC was the lowest, and SLV was the highest. The leaf traits among communities showed small variation. SLA showed significantly positive relationship with LDMC and LD (P<0.01); SLV was significantly negatively correlated with LDMC (P<0.01), and significantly positively correlated with TWC (P<0.01) and RWC (P<0.05). LDMC was significantly positively correlated with LD (P<0.01). The surface soil salinity (0-20 cm) was positively correlated with LT (P<0.05), SLV (P<0.05), Suc (P<0.05), TWC(P<0.05) and RWC (P<0.01). SLA, SLV, and LDMC were the key leaf traits reflecting adaptability of L. ruthenicum to desert stress. The relationships of leaf traits and surface soil salinity (0-20 cm) reflected the water conservation strategies formed by desert plants to adapt to soil salinity.

Key words: multi-household management pattern, grassland contract, soil nutrient., Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, single-household management pattern