Response of soil water in deep dry soil layers to monthly precipitation, plant species, and surface mulch in a semi-arid hilly loess region of China

• DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2023.108612
• Publication Date: 2023-12-06T11:03:47Z
• Authors: Xing Wang; Kemeng Zhang; Jing Li; Qun Li; Wenjuan Na; Yuankang Gao; Zhiyong Gao
• Keywords: Water potential; Soil horizon

Large-scale deep soil desiccation has occurred in the Loess Plateau caused by large-scale introduced vegetation rehabilitation over many years. Consequently, this occurrence raised concerns among scholars regarding obstacles to plant succession that may result from following artificial construction. In order answer question of whether can be replanted and water restored dry environment region, large columns field were used simulate 0–1000 cm layer. Some planted with Robinia pseudoacacia, Caragana korshinskii, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), jujube (Zizyphus jujuba Mill.), Poa annua, while other covered stones, branches, ground cloth, white plastic film. Bare as control treatment (CK). Dynamic changes layer regularly observed, five years (2014–2018) continuous observation data analyzed. The results showed that: (1) Under condition severe semi-arid loess region China, reintroducing plants successful, reintroduced grow normally depending on amount local precipitation; (2) Due different consumption amounts plants, a new balance emerge Plants high more desiccation, low alleviate desiccation. (3) use surface mulching had strong effect restoration, effectiveness for remediation being film > cloth branches ≈ stones particular, transform severely desiccated 0–640 into non-desiccated state. These research findings directly address long-standing ecologists restoration soil, serve reference sustainable development ecological construction China.