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Spatial-temporal dynamics and recovery mechanisms of dried soil layers under Robinia pseudoacacia forest based on in-situ field data from 2017-2020
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  • Meina He,
  • Yunqiang Wang,
  • Li Wang,
  • Xiaoxu Jia,
  • Chunlei Zhao,
  • Ping Zhang
Meina He
Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Yunqiang Wang
Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Li Wang
Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University
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Xiaoxu Jia
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Chunlei Zhao
Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University
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Ping Zhang
Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University
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Abstract

Planting Robinia pseudoacacia in water-limited regions can promote soil and water conservation and improve ecological service function. However, it can also cause the formation of below-ground dried soil layers (DSLs), causing land degradation and tree mortality. To ascertain the spatial-temporal dynamics and recovery processes of DSLs, we monitored the deep soil water content (SWC) to a depth of 500 cm at 27 sites on a typical R. pseudoacacia forest (planted in 2003) hillslope from 2017–2020, and calculated the evaluation indices of DSLs based on plant and soil criteria. We found that, compared to plant criterion identified-DSLs, the degree of soil criterion identified-DSLs was more severe, although the spatial-temporal characteristics were similar. Severe soil desiccation was identified in the forest as 79% of the 500 cm profile drying out below 101 cm. During the study period, the mean thickness of DSLs and mean SWC within DSLs were 397 cm and 9.0%, respectively, and the quantitative index of DSLs reached level III (> 0.51, severe DSLs). All DSL indices demonstrated weak or moderate variability in space and strong variability in time. Interestingly, two rainfall events triggered DSL disappearance at seven sites, indicating the possibility of DSL recovery under heavy rainfall. Possible mechanisms explaining the DSLs recovery phenomenon were linked with continued rainfall, micro-topography, soil texture, individual root characteristics, and their interactions. This information is helpful for soil water management and land development in planted forests and for reclaiming DSLs under similar conditions.
18 Jan 2022Submitted to Land Degradation & Development
20 Jan 2022Submission Checks Completed
20 Jan 2022Assigned to Editor
16 Feb 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
24 Feb 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
07 Mar 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Major
06 Apr 20221st Revision Received
07 Apr 2022Submission Checks Completed
07 Apr 2022Assigned to Editor
20 Apr 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
29 Apr 2022Editorial Decision: Accept
30 Aug 2022Published in Land Degradation & Development volume 33 issue 14 on pages 2500-2511. 10.1002/ldr.4327