Spatial-temporal dynamics and recovery mechanisms of dried soil layers
under Robinia pseudoacacia forest based on in-situ field data from
2017-2020
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.