Effects of landscape restoration on soil water storage and water use in the Loess Plateau Region,China

Large-scale vegetation restoration in China's Loess Plateau has been initiated by the central government for controlling soil and water losses in the past three decades. However, there is virtually no guidance for plant species selection for the restoration purpose. We investigated the effects of planting trees and shrubs, land-use conversions from croplands to pastures and native grasslands on soil water dynamics and water stresses by using long-term field measurements from 1986 to 1999 in the semi-arid loess hilly area. Our research has led to the following three major findings. Firstly, the amount of soil water storage within a 100 cm depth decreased as measured at both the beginning and the ending point of growing seasons regardless land cover types. The soil water replenishment by rainfall during rainy seasons was not sufficient to fully recharge the soil water storage. Landscape restoration through shrub planting may help retain more soil water than other land cover types. Secondly, the ratio of actual evapotranspiration (ET) and pan evaporation (PET) generally declined for all land cover types during the study period. Shrub lands had the largest ET/PET ratio, followed by native grassland, cropland/alfalfa, and pine woodland. The ET/PET ratio of native grasslands declined fastest, followed by pine woodlands, shrub lands, alfalfa, and croplands. Pine woodland's low ET/PET ratios were mainly caused by its higher runoff due to soil compaction resulted from soil desiccation. Lastly, we found that the soil water storage at the beginning of growing season was important in determining the ET/PET ratios. This study suggested that pine plantations may not be appropriate for landscape restoration in such a semi-arid loess hilly area while shrubs may be highly recommended.     

黄土高原和六盘山区森林面积增加对产水量的影响

[目的]定量评价黄土高原地区造林对流域产水量的影响,指导林水协调的林业发展和森林管理。[方法]综合分析多年在黄土高原、泾河流域、六盘山区开展的森林产流影响的多尺度研究结果。[结果]在黄土高原区域尺度,林地平均年径流(16 mm)比非林地(39 mm)减少59%;在典型流域尺度(泾河干流上游流域),森林年均产水量(76 mm)比自然草地减少51%,其中,半湿润土石山区的森林年均产水量(88.8 mm)比自然草地减少58%;在典型小流域尺度(半湿润的香水河小流域),完全覆盖森林后的年均产流比无森林覆盖情景减少59%。森林增加导致的年产流减幅在干旱地区和干旱年份会更大,并可能超过100%,如年降水量低于450 mm的黄土流域、半干旱的泾河上游黄土区的林地及半干旱的叠叠沟小流域的坡面乔木林分样地,其年产水量常为零或负值,即需消耗土壤水分和坡上汇入径流等维持生存。低度间伐不能显著减少森林蒸散耗水。[结论]在黄土高原研究的小流域、流域和区域空间尺度内,造林减少年产流量的平均幅度都在50%~60%以上,且随干旱程度的增加可达到100%,并因消耗降水外的其他水源而出现负产流。需依据水分承载力合理选择待恢复植被类型和确定森林覆盖率,这是保障区域供水安全和实现林水协调管理的基本途径。     

Review and proposals on vegetation restoration in the Loess Plateau, Northwest China

A group of scientists conducted a comprehensive investigation on ecological safety and water and soil erosion in the Northwest Loess Plateau, Northwest China. The data gathered was analyzed in terms of achievement, existing problems, and strategy and measures on vegetation restoration in the area. Since the policies of conversion from cropland to forest (CCF) and forbid grazing and cutting (FGC) were carried out, vegetation quality and coverage rate increased quickly in the Loess Plateau area, strengthening the concept of eco-environment protection. Environment harness measurements were optimized. The multiform investments on eco-environment and urbanization development in China will benefit vegetation restoration. However, there have been some persisting problems, such as the shortage of investment, instability of government policy, expectation of extravagant economic benefit, larger rate of plantation, and scarce technologies supporting vegetation restoration. Many key theories and practice problems require an urgent resolution. In the future, short-, mid-, and long-term goals for vegetation restoration should be clear, achievement should be expanded, and the natural restoration area should be increased. The benefit for the contractor on vegetation restoration should be ensured. Investment on vegetation building research work should be increased. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2007, 43(1): 102–106 [译自: 林业科学]     

Soil water response to precipitation in different microtopographies on the semi-arid Loess Plateau,China

Soil water is an important factor restricting afforestation on the semi-arid Loess Plateau.The microtopography of the loess slope has changed the distribution pattern of soil water on the slope.To improve water utilization efficiency and optimize afforestation configuration patterns,the relationship between soil water and precipitation at micro-topographic scale must be studied.We used time series analysis to study the temporal variation of soil water and its response to precipitation in four kinds of micro-topographies and undisturbed slope on loess slopes.Micro-topographies significantly influenced soil water distribution and dynamics on the slopes.Soil water stored in the platform,sinkhole,and ephemeral gully influenced subsequent soil water for 4 weeks,whereas soil water stored in the scarp and undisturbed slope could influence soil water for 2 weeks.It took 12 weeks,10 weeks,18 weeks,6 weeks,and 12 weeks for precipitation to reach the deeper soil layer in the platform,sinkhole,scarp,ephemeral gully,and undisturbed slope,respectively.These soil water characteristics in different micro-topographies are vital factors that should be taken into consideration when undertaking afforestation on the Loess Plateau.     

Effects of different vegetation restoration models on soil microbial biomass in eroded hilly Loess Plateau, China

Vegetation restoration is a key measure to improve the eco-environment in Loess Plateau, China. In order to find the effect of soil microbial biomass under different vegetation restoration models in this region, six trial sites located in Zhifanggou watershed were selected in this study. Results showed that soil microbial biomass, microbial respiration and physical and chemical properties increased apparently. After 30 years of vegetation restoration, soil microbial biomass C, N, P (SMBC, SMBN, SMBP) and microbial respiration, increased by 109.01%–144.22%, 34.17%–117.09%, 31.79%–79.94% and 26.78%–87.59% respectively, as compared with the farmland. However, metabolic quotient declined dramatically by 57.45%–77.49%. Effects of different models of vegetation restoration are different on improving the properties of soil. In general, mixed stands of Pinus tabulaeformis-Amorpha fruticosa and Robinia pseudoacacia-A. fruticosa had the most remarkable effect, followed by R. pseudoacacia and Caragana korshinkii, fallow land and P. tabulaeformis was the lowest. Restoration of mixed forest had greater effective than pure forest in eroded Hilly Loess Plateau. The significant relationships were observed among SMBC, SMBP, microbial respiration, and physical and chemical properties of soil. It was concluded that microbial biomass can be used as indicators of soil quality. __________ Translated from Journal of Natural Resources, 2007, 22(1): 20–27 [译自: 自然资源学报]     

晋西黄土区水土保持林地的土壤水分

2008年5月12 日-10月12日间采用EnviroSMART土壤水分定位监测系统,以每30 min监测1次的频度对晋西黄土区刺槐人工林地、油松人工林地、次生林地的土壤水分变化进行研究.结果表明:0～150 cm土层中次生林地蓄水量是刺槐人工林地的1.4倍,有整地措施的油松林地蓄水量与次生林地相近.人工林较次生林多消耗的土壤水分主要是深层的土壤水分,次生林主要依靠天然降水和消耗浅层土壤水分维持其生长.从表层到深层次生林地蓄水量逐渐增加,而有整地措施的油松人工林地蓄水量逐渐减少.随深度的增加各林地蓄水量的变幅逐渐减弱.0～150 cm土层的平均蓄水量8月最低.层次越深,蓄水量的最低值出现时间越晚.90～150 cm土层的蓄水量5-10月处于消耗状态.生长季刺槐人工林地0～150 cm土层耗水量为249.73 mm,油松林人工林地为248.09mm,次生林地为129.40 mm.刺槐人工林地最大的日耗水量为4.70 mm,油松林为4.77 mm,次生林为2.28 mm.刺槐与油松人工林地的耗水量明显大于次生林,因此,在干旱的黄土区应该模拟次生林营造水土保持林.     

干旱胁迫对不同种源马尾松苗木生长的影响

对广东信宜、浙江江山、湖南汝城、重庆黔江和湖北大悟5个种源马尾松容器苗进行不同程度干旱周期性胁迫处理,测定和分析干旱胁迫对各种源马尾松苗木生长的影响。结果表明:干旱胁迫下,各种源马尾松苗木生长均受到抑制,中度胁迫和重度胁迫下的苗高增长量、地上部分干重、地下部分干重、总干重均低于对照。胁迫后期,各种源生长指标的变化幅度不一致。综合分析得出:湖南、湖北、广东种源较为耐旱;浙江、重庆种源耐旱能力较弱。     

黄土高原3种乡土灌木的水分利用与抗旱适应性

人工模拟不同强度干旱胁迫,研究黄土丘陵区常见灌木杠柳、丁香和连翘的2年生苗木的生长、耗水及抗旱生理生化特性。结果表明:连翘耗水量与生长速度显著高于杠柳和丁香,为高耗水快速生长树种,丁香为低耗水树种;在3种土壤水分条件下,3树种的耗水和快速生长期均集中在6—8月,与黄土丘陵区雨热期相吻合;水分亏缺处理下,杠柳和连翘根冠比显著增大,丁香根冠比表现为75%田间最大持水量>40%田间最大持水量>55%田间最大持水量;丁香的水分利用效率显著高于杠柳和连翘;选择11个有显著性差异的生理生化指标,用主成分分析对3树种进行综合评价,结果表明杠柳抗旱性最强,其次为丁香,连翘最弱,且3树种抗旱机制不同。     

干旱胁迫与彩色树生长状况关系研究

以金叶榆、金枝梾木和俄罗斯红叶李3种彩色树2a生苗木为试材,测定了不同程度干旱胁迫下净光合速率、蒸腾速率、细胞膜透性、叶片含水量以及高生长等指标,分析了3种彩色树的抗旱性。结果表明:在轻度干旱胁迫条件下,金叶榆和金枝梾木受到的影响小于俄罗斯红叶李;重度干旱条件下,金叶榆表现出较强的抗旱性,而金枝梾木和俄罗斯红叶李受到的影响较大。3种彩色树的抗旱性强弱排序为:金叶榆金枝梾木俄罗斯红叶李。     

黄土高原退耕还林中的抗旱造林技术与应用研究进展

该文对黄土高原的地貌、植被情况以及退耕还林现状和退耕还林中存在的主要问题进行了论述，综合评述了退耕还林过程中所采取的抗旱造林技术措施，主要围绕抗旱造林树种的选择、蓄水保墒技术以及林分合理配置等三个方面进行阐述，并指出抗旱造林技术的研究应用及水源工程建设是今后退耕还林中研究的热点问题。     

干旱胁迫下6种野生耐旱花卉苗木蒸腾耗水与耐旱性的关系

为了探讨6种野生花卉的耐旱机理,采用BP3400精密电子天平,研究了在干旱胁迫条件下6种野生耐旱花卉苗木蒸腾耗水的变化规律及其与耐旱性的关系。结果表明:随着土壤干旱程度的加重,各苗木的单株蒸腾耗水量和蒸腾耗水速率逐渐下降,在对照、胁迫5d、暂时萎蔫和永久萎蔫这4个时段单株蒸腾耗水量的平均值由大到小排序为叶底珠栓翅卫矛木半夏南蛇藤孩儿拳头蚂蚱腿子,蒸腾耗水速率的平均值由大到小排序为叶底珠蚂蚱腿子栓翅卫矛南蛇藤木半夏孩儿拳头;叶底珠和蚂蚱腿子是耗水较多的树种,孩儿拳头是耗水较少的树种,栓翅卫矛、南蛇藤和木半夏的耗水量接近且居中;各苗木蒸腾耗水量的连日变化呈波动的递减趋势,与气温、空气相对湿度的波动一致;单株蒸腾耗水量和蒸腾耗水速率的大小与耐旱性强弱之间没有必然的关系,这表明了不同苗木的耐旱性具有多样化的特点。     

晋西黄土区不同森林植被的林地水源涵养功能

林地(包括枯落物层和土壤层)是森林植被水源涵养功能的主体,在水土保持中具有举足轻重的作用。根据蔡家川流域林地枯落物和土壤的分析与测定,研究比较了晋西黄土区不同森林植被的林地水源涵养功能。结果表明,不同植被类型枯落物的最大有效拦蓄量的大小排序为:虎榛子林(2 85mm)>沙棘林(2 38mm)>刺槐林(1 88mm)>油松×刺槐林(1 31mm)>油松林(0 77mm)。不同植被类型0～60cm土层的林地土壤最大拦蓄量为:虎榛子林(248 2mm)>油松×刺槐林(241 0mm)>刺槐林(210 2mm)>油松林(198 1mm)。晋西黄土区不同森林植被的林地水源涵养功能研究,为该区水土保持林的合理经营与利用提供了科学依据。     

Nutrient distribution and accumulation patterns of natural secondary forests in the Loess Plateau of Shanxi Province, northern China

We studied the biomass and its allocation in natural secondary forests, as well as the amounts, accumulation and distribution of nutrient elements (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) in sample plots established in the Loess Plateau in Shanxi Province, northern China. The results show that biomass in natural secondary forests amounted to 36.09 t/hm², of which the tree layer accounted for 46%, the shrub layer for 29%, the herb layer for 13% and the litter layer for 12%. The total storage of the five nutrient elements is 1089.82 kg/hm². Nutrient storage in the tree layer is the largest, at 41%. The sequence of storage of the elements varied among different layers and is given as follows: shrub layer 31.27%, herb layer 12.55% and litter layer 15.36%. The accumulation of nutrient elements in the tree layer, ordered from high to low, is: branches > roots > stems >bark > leaves. The total storage of the five nutrient elements in the soil is 634.97 t/hm², where the accumulation of the nutrients accounts for 95.32% (N), 99.64% (P), 99.91% (K), 99.84% (Ca) and 99.95% (Mg) of the total amounts. The accumulation coefficients of different organs in the tree layer are, from high to low: leaves > branches > roots > bark > stems. The accumulation coefficients in the different layers are listed as follows: shrub layer > tree layer > herb layer and for the elements as: N > P > Ca > K > Mg. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2008, 30(3): 57–62 [译自: 北京林业大学学报]     

Effect of conversion of farmland to forest or grassland on soil erosion intensity changes in Yanhe River Basin, Loess Plateau of China

Dynamic changes of soil erosion affected by conversion of farmland to forest or grassland in the Yanhe River Basin were analyzed based on the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE). The RUSLE variables were selected and calculated reasonably using the GIS technique. Results show that: 1) After the conversion of farmland to forest or grassland, soil erosion decreased greatly. Compared with soil erosion in period of 1986 to 1997, the soil erosion amount had been reduced on the average by 30.6% by 2000; 2) Of the different land uses, slope farmland, especially the steep slope land had the greatest impact on soil erosion. The conversion of forest or grassland was the main driving force for the reduction of soil erosion; 3) In the short term, soil erosion was mainly controlled by C-factor, implying that the adjustment of land use structure might be an effective approach to reduce soil erosion. __________ Translated from Science of Soil and Water Conversation, 2007, 5(4): 27–33 [译自: 中国水土保持科学]     

甘肃黄土区铅笔柏引种初报

针对甘肃黄土区缺乏常绿针叶造林树种的问题,从美国引进铅笔柏种子育苗造林,多点试验表明,铅笔柏能够适应甘肃黄土区气候条件,生长正常,在立地条件比较优越的造林地上表现出良好的速生性。     

Spatial variability of throughfall in a Pinus tabulaeformis plantation forest in Loess Plateau,China

Throughfall varies in space, which complicates measurements and makes it difficult to achieve accurate spatial representation. In the present research, we measured gross rainfall and throughfall from May 2011 to September 2012, leaf area index, and locations of trees within a Pinus tabulaeformis plantation forest in the Loess Plateau of northwestern China. The spatial heterogeneity of throughfall and related factors, as well as the minimum number and locations of collectors needed to measure throughfall accurately, were analyzed by statistical techniques. The results indicated that the throughfall was concentrated at the canopy edge, indicating that the edge of the canopy of P. tabulaeformis had a convergence effect on throughfall. The analysis of semivariance of throughfall demonstrated that canopy structure was a key factor influencing spatial variation of throughfall in low rainfall events, but measurement errors and other nonspatial variables were the primary factors affecting the variation of throughfall in high rainfall events. Based on the mean throughfall at different proportions of canopy radius centered on the individual tree stem, the minimum number and locations of collectors needed to accurately measure throughfall was estimated. In this study, four rain collectors (diameter 20?cm) at the 3/5 canopy radius could reasonably represent the average throughfall under the individual P. tabulaeformis canopy.     

渭北旱原小叶杨苗期的施肥效应

对小叶杨采用盆插土培法辅以田间育苗施肥实验.结果表明:在渭北旱原土壤条件下,N、P、K三要素对于培育小叶杨壮苗都是必不可少的,N素的施用效果最好,凡不施用氮肥的处理,其苗木高生长量、叶面积和干物质量显著降低,且封顶早生长期短,单施氮肥或配合施用氮肥的各个处理则相反,都能有效地提高苗高生长量、叶面积和干物质量,延长了苗木的生长期,并且有避免单施磷、钾所引起蒸腾强度大、耗水多的良好作用;磷肥的施用效果仅次于氮,居第2位,但是磷在小叶杨苗木的径生长中,却起着主导作用;氮、磷、钾或氮、磷配合施用效果为最好,因施用钾肥对小叶杨苗木影响不明显,但它与氮、磷配合施用却显示出了积极的效果.     

黄土高原水土流失严重地区植被恢复策略分析

以晋西黄土高原地区为例，对黄土高原水土流失严重地区植被恢复的现状和前景进行了全面而细致的分析，提出土石山次生林区应实行“封山育林为主，辅之以人工措施”植被恢复策略。在土层浅薄、坡度较陡的生态脆弱地段，需要进行长期的植被封育；在土层深厚而且坡度平缓地段，可适当辅之以人工措施，包括人工抚育，以及补植或补造有经济价值的乡土树种等。当前土石山区次生林经营管理中急需解决的问题是提高林分质量，加强管护力度；黄土丘陵区应该实行封山禁牧或轮牧、围栏圈养以及陡坡地退耕等措施，这是植被恢复的前提和基础。同时，对黄土丘陵区恢复和建设森林植被的可能性进行了分析和探讨。最后指出只有转变农村传统的以破坏生态环境为代价的粗放生产经营方式，长期坚持植被封育和保护为主的策略，结合人工营造乡土树种为主的森林群落，晋西黄土高原地区才有可能恢复原来的森林植被景观，真正实现该地区的植被重建和水土流失的根治。     

林地土壤水分模型SWUF在晋西黄土高原的适用性

采用EnviroSMART土壤水分定位监测系统于2008-05-14至2008-10-11及2009-05-05至2009-08-05对晋西黄土区刺槐人工林、油松人工林(水平条整地)、天然次生林0～150cm土层的土壤水分进行实时监测。以这些监测数据为基础,分析SWUF模型参数的敏感性,进行参数率定,验证SWUF模型在晋西黄土高原水土保持林地的适用性。结果表明:SWUF模型中的蒸发参数、产流参数、非饱和水流参数属于高度敏感性参数,使用SWUF时必须对这些参数进行率定;SWUF模型对刺槐人工林20～150cm各土层、油松人工林和次生林0～150cm各土层土壤水分动态模拟效果较好,模拟值与实测值相对误差在20%以内;SWUF适用于模拟油松人工林和天然次生林各土层每日土壤含水量,也能够比较充分地模拟3种林地不同深度土壤层土壤水分的日变化趋势,但在模拟耗水量大的刺槐林表层土壤水分方面还需要改进。     

黄土高原适于造林的雨水收集系统设计方法

根据黄土高原地区降水缺乏的自然条件 ,该文提出了 30 0mm到 6 0 0mm地区用于造林的集水设计与施工方法 .这种集水系统由不同形式、大小的种植区与产流区组成的微型集水区形成 ,其设计依据主要是降雨、产流区的径流系数、来自树木和土壤的蒸散、土壤水分亏缺及降水资源环境容量等等 .经过YJG(有机硅化学处理 )处理的产流区、拍光压实产流区和自然坡面的径流系数分别为 0 8 0 89,0 2 3 0 36 ,0 0 8 0 10 根据彭曼法计算的土壤水分亏缺量在 5 0mm到 30 0mm之间 .在降雨量为 4 0 0mm的地区经过YJG处理之后用材林每株林木的产流面积为 3 4m2 ,经济树种为 8 10m2 ;经过压光拍实处理之后用材林每株林木的产流面积为 6 8m2 ,经济树种为 10 12m2 ;自然坡面对于用材林每株林木的产流区面积为 8 10m2 ,经济树种为 12 15m2 采用这种系统经过YJG处理产流区、拍光压实产流区和保持自然坡面的微型集水区中树木的蒸腾量分别是总集水量的 4 7 6 5 % 5 3 31% ,2 4 10 % 36 93%和 18 6 5 % 2 9 5 5 % .这种大面积应用于黄土高原地区的系统被称为径流林业 .