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Vegetation is closely related to groundwater depth in the arid inland areas. In this study we investigate the relationship between vegetation and depth of the groundwater table in June 2000 in the Ejina area, northwestern China, by combining remote sensing with in-situ groundwater observations. Our results demonstrate that the groundwater depth suitable for vegetation in this region ranges from 2 to 5 m, depending on species composition. Hardly any vegetation occurs when the groundwater depth is below 5.5m because the rooting depth of the present species is limited and therefore cannot maintain adequate water supplies to their canopies.