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Characteristics of deep soil layer water deficit under different vegetation types of the Loess Plateau, China
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  • Jiongchang Zhao,
  • Mingshuang Shen,
  • jianjun zhang,
  • Yang Yu
Jiongchang Zhao
Beijing Forestry University
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Mingshuang Shen
Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute
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jianjun zhang
Beijing Forestry University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Yang Yu
Beijing Forestry University
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Abstract

Soil water is a crucial factor for the growth of vegetation and sustainable development in water-limited areas. After large-scale vegetation restoration on the Chinese Loess Plateau, understanding the relationship between vegetation and deep soil moisture has become a crucial focus in current research. In this study, we selected artificial forest ( Pinus tabulaeformis, Robinia pseudoacacia, and Platycladus orientalis), apple orchard, secondary forest and farmland as the research objects, and native grassland as the control, using soil drilling techniques, we systematically monitored the soil water content of 0-10 m soil layer over two hydrological years, and explore the effects of different vegetation types on soil water deficiency. The results showed that: (1) The deep soil water various significantly among different vegetation types, which indicating the depth of the influence of vegetation on soil water has reached 10 m. (2) The mean deficit size values of P. tabulaeformis (0.14), R. pseudoacacia (0.17), P. orientalis (0.07), apple orchard (0.15) and secondary forest (0.10) and farmland (0.27) were positive in 0–1 m, indicating that surface soil water had accumulated during more than half of the sampling periods. In the 2–10 m soil layer, the mean deficit size was negative in all vegetation types except in farmland, leading to soil desiccation. The deficit size was found to fluctuate with soil depth. (3) Soil water deficit degree was affected by a combination of soil properties and vegetation growth. Altitude, soil bulk density and canopy density had a significant impact on soil water deficit. Our results indicate that the current afforestation model could lead to the deficiency of deep soil water. Therefore, in planning future vegetation allocation and management, it is imperative to make reasonable vegetation structure according to the available local soil and water resources.
Submitted to Hydrological Processes
10 May 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
09 Jun 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 Jun 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Major
29 Jul 20241st Revision Received
02 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
02 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
02 Aug 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
15 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
15 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
20 Aug 20242nd Revision Received
21 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
21 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
21 Aug 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
21 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Accept