毛乌素沙地南缘沙丘生物土壤结皮发育特征

生物土壤结皮广泛分布于干旱和半干旱区,它的形成和发育对荒漠生态系统生态修复过程产生重要的影响。采用野外调查、测定和室内分析相结合的方法,对毛乌素沙地南缘沙丘生物土壤结皮发育特征进行研究。结果表明:不同地貌部位生物土壤结皮的厚度、各类型结皮盖度、机械组成和结皮及其下层剖面土壤容重均发生不同程度的变化。生物土壤结皮的发育对不同地貌部位具有一定的选择性,丘顶微生物结皮少量分布,迎风坡以浅灰色的藻类结皮为主,背风坡以黑褐色的藻类结皮为主,丘间地以苔藓结皮为主。不同地貌部位结皮层微生物总数存在较大差异。不同发育阶段生物土壤结皮的优势成分不同,表现出明显的阶段性特点,其形成和发育是生物过程和非生物过程的统一。     

黄土丘陵区垂直陡壁表面不同类型生物土壤结皮养分与微生物养分限制特征

生物土壤结皮的发育类型对土壤养分和微生物代谢起着重要作用。为进一步明确在生物结皮发育过程中微生物的限制性养分与影响因素,研究选择黄土丘陵区垂直陡壁表面上的裸土(CK)、浅色藻结皮(LA)、深色藻结皮(DA)、藻藓混合结皮(AM)和藓结皮(M)为研究对象,分析了不同生物土壤结皮类型下碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)养分状况与胞外酶活性,并通过胞外酶化学计量来量化微生物的代谢限制。结果表明:LA,DA,AM和M这4种类型生物土壤结皮C,N,P养分含量和微生物生物量C,N,P均显著高于CK(p<0.05),并且SOC,TN,TP和微生物生物量C,N,P随CK,LA,DA,AM和M的顺序逐渐增大,藓结皮微生物量C,N,P分别是CK处理的18.3,27.6,14.1倍。生物土壤结皮的发育显著提高了C,N,P循环酶的活性,冗余分析结果表明土壤养分与酶活性密切相关。此外,通过酶计量的矢量模型结果来看,生物土壤结皮的发育造成微生物相对碳限制的增大与相对磷限制的减小,并受到速效养分含量的影响。偏最小二乘路径模型结果也表明生物土壤结皮的类型会间接影响微生物的代谢限制。总的来说,生物土壤结皮类型的变化会改善土壤养分状况与微生物量等性质,养分资源的供应状况会造成微生物养分代谢的变化。     

生物结皮土壤-水文-侵蚀效应研究进展

生物土壤结皮(简称生物结皮)是由隐花植物、微小生物和土壤表层颗粒胶结形成的一种特殊复合体,广泛分布于各类气候和生境条件。作为生态系统的重要组分,生物结皮在不同生物气候区土壤的生态过程、水文过程、生物过程、地球化学循环过程以及生态修复过程中发挥着重要作用。从生物结皮影响土壤物理、化学、生物学性质以及土壤水文与侵蚀过程等方面对其生态功能进行总结和概述,在此基础上,从研究区域和时空尺度、多过程耦合机制、生物结皮影响氮循环的过程及其对氮沉降的响应机制、生物结皮与维管植物空间分布及互动关系等方面,展望了该领域有待深化的问题及今后的发展方向,以期促进我国生物结皮相关研究工作,加深对生物结皮生态功能及地表过程的认识。     

荒漠区生物土壤结皮对土壤酶活性的影响

在干旱的沙漠生态系统中,生物土壤结皮对于沙丘的固定和土壤生物的维持起着相当重要的作用。土壤酶活性能敏感地指示土壤的恢复程度,是衡量沙区生态恢复与健康的重要生物学属性,而目前关于生物土壤结皮与土壤酶活性的关系研究很少。为探明生物土壤结皮对土壤酶活性的影响,以腾格里沙漠东南缘的人工植被固沙区生物土壤结皮覆盖的沙丘土壤为研究对象,根据固沙时间的不同将样地分为4个不同的区进行采样(57、49、32和22 a固沙区),以流沙区(0 a)和红卫天然植被区(100 a)为对照。研究表明:人工植被固沙区的藻-地衣结皮和藓类结皮均可显著提高土壤碱性磷酸酶、蛋白酶和纤维素酶的活性(p0.05);结皮类型显著影响土壤酶的活性,发育晚期的藓类结皮下土壤碱性磷酸酶、蛋白酶和纤维素酶的活性显著高于发育早期的藻-地衣结皮下土壤酶的活性(p0.05);固沙年限显著影响土壤碱性磷酸酶、蛋白酶和纤维素酶的活性,且与这三种土壤酶活性均存在显著的线性正相关关系(p0.05);目前,生物土壤结皮可显著提高0~20 cm土层碱性磷酸酶、蛋白酶和纤维素酶的活性(p0.05),且这种影响随土层的增加而减弱。而且,生物土壤结皮下土壤碱性磷酸酶、蛋白酶和纤维素酶的活性表现明显的季节变化,表现为夏季秋季春季和冬季。腾格里沙漠东南缘的人工植被固沙区生物土壤结皮的存在与演替提高了土壤酶的活性,生物土壤结皮有利于该区土壤及其相应生态系统的恢复。     

生物土壤结皮对荒漠区土壤微生物生物量的影响

为探明生物土壤结皮对土壤微生物生物量碳和氮的影响,以腾格里沙漠东南缘的人工植被固沙区生物土壤结皮覆盖的沙丘土壤为研究对象,根据固沙时间的不同将样地分为4个不同的区进行采样(55、47、30和20 a固沙区),以流沙区(0 a)和天然植被区(100 a)为对照。研究表明:人工植被固沙区的藻-地衣结皮和藓类结皮均可显著提高土壤微生物生物量碳(SMBC)和氮(SMBN)含量(p0.05),且固沙年限与SMBC和SMBN含量存在显著的正相关关系(p0.05);结皮类型显著影响土壤微生物生物量,藓类结皮下SMBC和SMBN含量显著高于藻-地衣结皮下SMBC和SMBN含量(p0.05);此外,生物土壤结皮可显著提高0~20 cm土层SMBC和SMBN含量(p0.05),且这种影响随土层的增加而减弱。而且,生物土壤结皮下SMBC和SMBN含量表现明显的季节变化,表现为夏季春季秋季。水热因子是决定土壤微生物生物量季节变化的主要因子,而生物土壤结皮通过调节土壤温度和湿度而影响土壤微生物生物量的季节变化。     

藻类与微生物添加对高陡边坡生物结皮人工恢复的影响

[目的]研究微生物与藻类对生物结皮野外恢复的影响,优化黄土高陡边坡生物结皮防护技术,为区域生态修复提供新的思路和方法。[方法]利用完全试验,研究藻类(小球藻+硅藻复合藻液)、功能性微生物(胶质芽孢杆菌、巨大芽孢杆菌)两因素对人工恢复生物结皮发育状况的影响。[结果]①不同处理间发育差异明显,藻+巨大芽孢杆菌处理的生物结皮盖度中位数最大,均值为61.41%;,仅胶质芽孢杆菌处理的生物结皮厚度中位数最大,均值为2.58 mm;仅添加3 g藻处理的苔藓株高度中位数最大,均值为2.67 mm;②藻处理能够在不同添加水平下(1和3 g/m~2)显著解释(p0.05)样方间生物结皮的盖度、厚度与株密度发育差异,其添加量以2～3 g/m~2为宜;③功能性微生物对生物结皮盖度、厚度及苔藓株高度影响不明显(p=0.91/0.93/0.49),且与藻类无明显交互作用。[结论] 45°黄土边坡人工恢复生物结皮是可行的。在环境适宜的坡面喷洒藻液、接种苔藓茎段碎片,开展生物结皮恢复,能够有效构建具有一定覆盖度与厚度、发育良好的生物结皮防护层。     

毛乌素沙地生物土壤结皮与沙化土地的关系研究

生物土壤结皮在荒漠地区广泛分布,是固沙和促进沙地生态恢复的重要生物因子。利用1989,2002和2006年的Landsat遥感影像,分别通过生物土壤结皮指数和NDVI阈值法,提取了毛乌素沙地生物土壤结皮和沙化土地的空间分布,并分析了二者之间联系。结果表明:(1)研究区1989,2002和2006年结皮面积所占比例分别为54.77%,55.72%和64.29%,表现为持续增加趋势,结皮斑块间连接度在增强,结皮的稳定性进一步巩固。(2)1989—2006年区内沙化土地的程度逐渐减弱,沙化程度综合指数由1989年的3.24下降到2006年的2.65。(3)1989—2006年,中度和重度沙化土地结皮分布范围最为广泛,均在70%以上;极重度沙化土地内的结皮面积表现为持续下降,1989,2002和2006年分别为19.40%,5.76%和2.80%。(4)以1989年沙化土地的格局为基础,1989,2002和2006年极重度沙化土地内生物结皮的数量比例分别为19.40%,33.18%和45.21%,处于上升趋势。     

黄土高原生物土壤结皮发育过程中颗粒态和矿物结合态有机碳变化特征

土壤颗粒态有机碳(POC)和矿物结合态有机碳(MAOC)是重要的土壤碳库,其比例的变化决定土壤有机碳的周转速率及稳定性。探讨沙地生物土壤结皮发育过程中颗粒态有机碳和矿物结合态有机碳的含量、分配比例和差异性特征,对于深刻认识初始土壤形成过程中有机碳库形成、稳定机制具有重要意义。选择神木市六道沟流域生物土壤结皮4个发育阶段(藻结皮、藻结皮+少量藓结皮、藓结皮+少量藻结皮、藓结皮)为研究对象,裸沙作为对照,研究生物结皮层及结皮层下层0—2 cm, 2—10 cm, 10—20 cm土层土壤颗粒态和矿物结合态有机碳的变化特征。结果表明：(1)在BSCs土层,POC的增加速率大于MAOC,MAOC处于饱和状态;(2)在BSCs和0—2 cm土层,以微生物源有机碳为主导的MAOC主要贡献有机碳积累,在2—10 cm和10—20 cm土层,以植物源有机碳为主导的POC主要贡献有机碳积累;(3) POC和MAOC含量随土层增加而降低,随着生物土壤结皮发育而增加;(4) POC和MAOC与SOC均有显著的正相关关系,表明结皮定殖和发育显著促进了土壤有机碳积累。这些结果表明生物土壤结皮的定殖和发育能够显著...     

沙坡头地区地衣和藓类结皮丛枝菌根真菌多样性研究

丛枝菌根真菌(Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)是自然界分布最广的一类植物共生真菌,可与生物土壤结皮(Biological soil crust,BSC)的隐花植物形成共生体,对荒漠植被的恢复和演替具有重要意义。目前针对不同类型BSC的AMF群落结构及其多样性研究较少,限制了AMF群落对BSC发育的作用和对荒漠生态系统贡献的理解。利用高通量测序技术,对腾格里沙漠东南缘沙坡头固沙植被区地衣和藓类结皮及其下层土壤AMF群落组成与多样性进行研究,分析不同结皮类型AMF群落结构的差异。结果发现,AMF群落丰富度和多样性表现为:藓类结皮下层土壤地衣结皮下层土壤藓类结皮地衣结皮。地衣和藓类结皮及其下层土壤AMF均属于球囊菌门、球囊菌纲,以球囊霉属、类球囊霉属、盾巨孢囊霉属、巨孢囊霉属和一种未分类属为优势,且地衣和藓类结皮AMF群落在属水平差异显著。主成分分析结果显示,藓类结皮下层土壤中AMF群落物种组成与其他各组有显著差异,表明随着结皮的发育,AMF群落多样性增加,结皮演替与AMF群落多样性之间具有相互促进的作用。     

生物土壤结皮生态修复功能研究及对石漠化治理的启示

西南喀斯特地区作为中国喀斯特的核心地带,因大面积出露的碳酸盐岩、地质地貌、气候等因素导致了水土流失严重、土壤贫瘠、植被覆盖率低、生物多样性减少、土地石漠化等突出问题生态严重退化,补植林草等常规治理手段难以实施,亟待切实可行的治理手段;针对以上问题,综述了西南喀斯特地区生态退化问题并阐述生物土壤结皮在荒漠环境中的生态修复功能与研究成果,认为生物土壤结皮作为荒漠生境中的演替先锋,在土壤系统、水文过程、生物系统等方面都具有积极的生态修复功能,拓殖生物土壤结皮可作为石漠化地区生态修复的新手段。     

Pyrosequencing Reveals Significant Changes in Microbial Communities Along the Ecological Succession of Biological Soil Crusts in the Tengger Desert of China

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) have important ecological functions in arid and semiarid lands, but they remain poorly understood in terms of the changes in microbial communities during BSC succession under in situ field conditions. Here, 454 pyrosequencing was used to assess the microbial community composition of four BSC types in the Tengger Desert of China: alga, lichen (cyanolichen and green alga-lichen), and moss crusts, representing early, middle, and final successional stages of BSCs, respectively. The results showed the highest diversity of microbial communities inhabiting lichen crusts, whereas the lowest diversity was observed in moss crusts. Five phyla, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Acidobacteria, accounted for about 72% to 87% of total prokaryotic sequences in different BSCs. The most abundant eukaryotic microorganism was Ascomycota, accounting for 47% to 93% of the total eukaryotic sequences. Along the succession of BSCs, the abundance of photoautotrophic Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyta, and Bacillariophyta declined, and that of heterotrophic microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi increased. Statistical analysis showed clear divergency of microbial taxa at the class level among the different successional stages of BSCs. The clustering results at class level showed that the moss crusts were the farthest from the rest in prokaryotic composition; the alga crusts were the most different in terms of eukaryotic microorganisms and the two kinds of lichen crusts were relatively closer in both compositions. Ordination analysis showed that the main variations of community structure among BSCs could be explained best by the abundance of Cyanobacteria and Ascomycota and by physiochemical properties of BSCs, including mechanical composition, moisture, and electrical conductivity. In conclusion, our results indicate that Cyanobacteria and Ascomycota likely play an important role in the evolution of BSC structure and functions and highlight the importance of environmental factors in shaping microbial community structures of BSCs in the Tengger Desert of China.     

黄土高原植被恢复过程中土壤微生物的演变特征

[目的]探究黄土高原植被恢复过程中土壤微生物的演变特征,为黄土高原生态恢复重建工作提供科学参考。[方法]以Web of Science数据库和CNKI数据库中的期刊论文为数据源,运用CiteSpace文献计量工具对黄土高原植被恢复过程中土壤微生物演变的研究概况及研究热点进行分析。[结果]2002—2018年黄土高原植被恢复过程中土壤微生物演变特征相关文献的发表数量随时间呈增长趋势;国内外研究热点主要围绕土壤微生物量、微生物群落结构以及酶活性展开,且对于微生物量的关注度比较高;在植被演替过程中,微生物生物量和酶活性总体增加,微生物群落从贫营养型向富营养型转变,土壤微生物群落结构和功能的进一步改善。不同植被类型对土壤生物质量改善效果不同,总体来说,混交林作用效果最好,刺槐和柠条纯林次之,荒草地和油松纯林最低。[结论]黄土高原植被恢复土壤微生物今后的研究应注重微生物关键种的识别、参与碳氮磷循环的功能微生物以及全球变化对微生物群落影响等方面。     

Effects of regenerating vegetation on soil enzyme activity and microbial structure in reclaimed soils on a surface coal mine site

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of reclaimed scenarios on soil enzyme activities and microbial community in a reclaimed surface coal mine on the Northwest Loess Plateau of China. Soil samples were collected from a bare land (CK), and a plantation (PL) and four mixed forests (MF1-4). Soil physicochemical characteristics, four enzyme activities and microbial abundance and T-RFLP (terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism) profiles were measured. Effects of reclaimed scenarios on soil nutrients content, enzyme activities and microbial community were pronounced. Soil organic carbon could be well used to predict the major differences in enzyme activities, and microbial abundance and composition. Soil enzyme activities were more significantly correlated with fungal abundance than bacterial and archaeal ones. The higher soil nutrient content, enzyme activities, and microbial abundance and diversity were from mixed forests and the lowest ones were from CK, which suggested mixed forests would be feasible scenarios in semi-arid Loess Plateau. Soil bacteria, archaea and fungi evolved with reclaimed process, but the influences of reclaimed scenarios on each domain of microbial abundance, diversity and composition were different. These findings suggested that soil bacteria, archaea and fungi play different ecological roles during restoration process.     

Effects of biological soil crusts on soil nematode communities following dune stabilization in the Tengger Desert,Northern China

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) play an important role in the dune fixation and maintaining soil biota in arid desert systems. Free-living soil nematode communities could be used as significant bioindicators to reflect soil recover regime after sand burial. However, the relationship between BSCs and nematodes is rarely known. To examine the effects of BSCs on soil nematodes, 72 soil samples under cyanobacteria–lichen and moss crusts were collected to analyse nematode communities in the different aged vegetated areas at the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert. Our results showed the colonization and development of BSCs significantly enhanced nematode diversity. Nematode abundances, generic richness, H′, MI, EI and SI were greater under crusts than those under noncrust. In particular, nematode abundances, generic richness, H′, MI, EI and SI were positively correlated with crust ages. The differences in nematode communities were also dependent upon crust types. Nematode abundances and generic richness under moss crusts were higher than those under cyanobacteria–lichen crusts. This can be contributed to the present and succession of BSCs that increased thickness of topsoil after dunes have been stabilized, namely, creating suitable habitats and providing an essential food source for nematodes.     

黄土高原地区植被生态修复策略与对策

根据近年来黄土高原地区实施植被生态修复的经验和黄土高原生态安全考察成果,论述植被生态修复的特点和功能,提出植被生态修复的核心内涵是将人为促进群落演替的人力与天然群落演替的自然力结合起来,实现区域生态系统整体恢复与局部快速恢复相结合的有效途径。黄土高原植被生态修复的目标是：区域内植物群落物种多样性平均增加10％-15％;地带性植被的代表种盖度在群落中占到20％-25％;植被总覆盖度75％-85％;水土流失强度有显著性减少。目前植被生态修复的关键问题是有关基础理论研究和技术措施积累不足,方法简单,效益不高。未来应采取正确生态修复思路,尽快解决生态修复中关键技术理论;科学规划,在典型地区黄龙森林区和安塞森林草原区建立示范点,实施综合的植被生态修复措施,建立法律保障体系,为黄土高原植被生态修复奠定基础。     

黄土高原土壤调控原理与应用研究知识图谱——基于CiteSpace的文献可视化分析

[目的]黄土高原是中国一个伟大的地理单元,对国家粮食安全和生态安全具有重要的战略意义。通过长期的坡度治理、流域综合治理、植树造林等多种措施,黄土高原地区的生态环境已经得到显著改善,但仍然面临着局部地区植被恢复配置的合理性不足、全流域统筹不协调、平衡经济发展与生态保护等方面的挑战。在国家双碳目标的指引下,黄土高原生态系统及农业可持续发展的未来方向和目标应当是支持碳中和目标实现、建立环境适宜性的植被群落、推进生态系统统筹社会经济系统的发展实现发展方式绿色转型。[方法]通过文献计量学工具CiteSpace对1992—2023年发表的黄土高原土壤调控原理与应用研究相关文献进行可视化分析,重点针对该研究领域的核心研究力量、研究热点与研究趋势。[结果](1)从发文量的嬗变来看,整体呈上升趋势,在2001年后爆发式增长;(2)从发文机构来看,西北农林科技大学在该领域的发文量最高,为2 157篇;(3)从作者的合作关系来看,邵明安和刘国彬是该领域的核心带头人,发文量分别为141,117篇,由他们构成的合作网络已经非常成熟;(4)从该领域的研究热点和发展趋势来看,主要研究热点集中在土壤水分、产量、旱地、...     

Ants mediate soil water in arid desert ecosystems: Mitigating rainfall interception induced by biological soil crusts?

As vital components of desert systems, the roles of ants in arid ecological processes have been well documented, while little attention has been given to their effects on soil water. We conducted a six-year investigation in sand dune systems stabilized via revegetation, to explore the hydrological role of ants through comparing the influence of ant nests on rainfall infiltration in different-aged revegetated dunes. The presence of ant nests markedly enhanced infiltration due to weakening the rainfall interception by biological soil crusts (BSCs) in revegetated dunes. The distribution of ant nest was denser in older revegetated areas, due to better developed BSCs of later successional stages, compared to younger revegetated areas. Ants prefer later to early successional BSCs because the later lichen–moss dominated crusts were thicker and their surface was more stable than the early cyanobacteria dominated crusts. Conversely, the crustal rainfall interception was positively correlated with BSC thickness. These findings suggest that the occurrence of ant nests in older revegetated areas benefited to the planted shrubs with deeper root systems and maintain a relative constant cover of shrubs in artificial sand-binding vegetation following an increase in infiltration to deeper soil layers.     

黄土高原地区林地枯枝落叶层水土保持效应研究进展

枯枝落叶层是林地垂直结构中参与水文循环过程的重要作用层,在涵养水源和保持水土中发挥着重要作用。黄土高原经过20年植被快速恢复,枯落物覆盖使近地表植被特征和生态过程变化明显,这必将影响地表土壤水分入渗、产汇流等水文和土壤侵蚀过程。为全面掌握黄土高原地区林地枯枝落叶层的水土保持效应研究动态,系统回顾了林地枯枝落叶层在凋落动态、蓄积量变化、截留降雨、阻延地表径流、提高土壤抗蚀抗冲能力和增加土壤入渗等方面的研究历史。分析了目前林地枯枝落叶层研究中存在的若干问题,提出未来黄土高原地区应加强野外坡面枯落物原位长期监测和降雨试验研究,开展多地貌、多尺度研究,关注天然林和人工林枯枝落叶层水土保持功能的对比研究,以及水文物理过程模型建立和参数确定,并重视林地枯枝落叶层的保护和监管。     

黄土高原森林带土壤养分和微生物量及其生态化学计量变化特征

选择黄土高原森林带自东向西8个地区优势植物的土壤作为研究对象,探究不同经度下土壤养分和土壤微生物生物量生态化学计量特征。结果表明:土壤碳、氮和微生物生物量碳、氮、磷含量随经度整体呈现出先减少后增加的变化趋势,土壤微生物生物量碳氮磷与土壤碳氮之间存在耦合关系,对环境因子的响应具有一致性。土壤磷含量空间分布比较稳定。土壤碳氮比为8左右,土壤有机碳与全氮的空间分布具有一致性。土壤微生物生物量碳氮比为9左右,微生物生物量氮磷比为5左右,反映了土壤微生物生物量碳氮、氮磷的比值较稳定,但土壤微生物生物量碳磷比呈现出先增大后减小的变化趋势。土壤养分及土壤微生物量碳氮磷与土壤水分含量相关性较强。土壤养分与土壤微生物量碳氮磷及其生态化学计量是环境因子综合作用的结果。     

Spatial variations and impact factors of soil water content in typical natural and artificial grasslands: a case study in the Loess Plateau of China

Purpose

Soil water overconsumption is threatening the sustainability of regional vegetation rehabilitation in the Loess Plateau of China. In this study, two typical natural and artificial grasslands under different precipitation regimes were selected and the spatial variations in and the factors that impact the soil water content were investigated to provide support for vegetation restoration and sustainability management in the Loess Plateau.

Materials and methods

Soil samples were collected in May and September. Medicago sativa L. and Stipa bungeana Trin. were selected as representatives of natural and artificial grasslands, respectively. Soil measurements were conducted at the beginning and end of the rainy seasons at soil depths of 0 to 3 m in 0.2-m increments, and 147 undisturbed and 2205 disturbed soil samples were collected at 27 sampling sites with different precipitation gradients across the Loess Plateau. The plant height, the field capacity, the saturated hydraulic conductivity, the bulk density, and the slope gradient were considered as impact factors. Statistic methods included one-way ANOVA, correlation tests, significance tests, and redundancy analyses.

Results and discussion

Spatial variation trends indicated that the mean soil water content increased as the multi-year mean precipitation increased, and the soil water content was higher in the natural grassland of Stipa bungeana Trin. than in the artificial grassland of Medicago sativa L. in the same precipitation gradient zone. Vertical spatial variation trends indicated that the soil water content was higher in most surface layers than in the deep layer and lower at the end of the rainy season than at the beginning of the rainy season, when the mean annual precipitation was less than 510 mm. The soil water content of the Stipa bungeana Trin. grassland was significantly correlated with precipitation and plant height, whereas the soil water content of the Medicago sativa L. grassland only exhibited a significant correlation with precipitation. Thus, grasses with fine palatability, good adaptability, and low water consumption should be cultivated in the Loess Plateau.

Conclusions

The decreased soil water content is more obvious in the soil layers with active vegetation roots. In the areas with multi-year precipitation at 370–440 mm, natural grasslands are more suitable for restoration and these areas should be treated as key areas for vegetation restoration. With regard to the spatial distribution of vegetation restoration, the economic and ecological benefits must be balanced so that the ratio of artificial vegetation and natural restoration can be optimized to realize the continued sustainability of vegetation restorations.