Physiological responses of Populus euphratica Oliv. to groundwater table variations in the lower reaches of Heihe River, Northwest China

Riparian vegetation in the lower reaches of Heihe River serves important ecological functions. However, the riparian ecosystems have been constantly deteriorating in the past 30 years simply due to water interception for oasis agricultural irrigation in the middle reaches of the river. This study pays a particular attention to Populus euphratica Oliv. forest because it is a dominant component of the riparian ecosystem in the lower reaches of Heihe River where the depth of groundwater table is the controlling factor in sustaining riparian ecosystems. To reveal leaf-related physiological responses of Populus euphratica Oliv. forest to groundwater table variations, we analyzed the relationships between the depth of groundwater table (DG) and three leaf-related parameters, i.e. leaf stomatal density (SD), specific leaf area (SLA), and stable carbon isotopic composition (δ 13 C). Our results show that the relationship between DG and leaf SD is a bi-mode one shaped by both salt stress and water stress. That is, salt stress appeared in shallow groundwater conditions and water stress happened in deep groundwater conditions, and the thin layer around 2.7 m of DG is a stress-free layer. Leaf SD fluctuated according to the DG variation, first decreased with increasing DG, then increased at depths ranging 2.7-3.7 m, and after a relatively stable plateau of SD at depths ranging 3.7-5.2 m, decreased again with increasing DG. Our results also show that SLA decreased exponentially with increasing DG and foliar δ 13 C values are also strongly dependent on DG, further demonstrating that these two parameters are sensitive indicators of water stress. The exponential curve suggests that SLA is more sensitive to DG when groundwater table is shallow and 3 m seems to be a threshold beyond which SLA becomes less sensitive to DG. Foliar δ 13 C becomes more sensitive when the groundwater table is deep and 7 m seems to be a threshold below which the δ 13 C signature becomes more sensitive to DG. These findings should be helpful in monitoring the growth and development of Populus euphratica Oliv. forests and also in providing protection measures (i.e. DG related) for Heihe River riparian forests.     

Impact of land use change on water resource allocation in the middle reaches of the Heihe River Basin in northwestern China

In recent decades, China has been experiencing rapid economic development, population growth and urbanization. These processes have stressed the shortages of water resources in China, especially in the arid re- gions of northwestern China. In order to sustain the expanding cropland, people increased groundwater exploitation in these regions. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively analyze the changes in land use and water re- sources, and their relationship in the middle reaches of the Heihe River Basin, a typical inland river basin in northwest China. The data of land use change were interpreted using aerial photographs(1965) and Landsat TM images(1986 and 2007). The data of irrigation water volume in the irrigation districts were spatialized in the middle reaches of the Heihe River Basin. The spatial variation of the groundwater depth was interpolated using the geo- statistical method. The results showed that the cultivated cropland area along oasis fringe increased by 15.38% and 43.60% during the periods 1965–1986 and 1986–2007, respectively. Surface water amount for irrigation had almost doubled from 1956 to 2010. The decrease of grassland area mainly occurred at the alluvial fan in front of the Qilian Mountains, with 36.47% during 1965–1986 and 38.56% during 1986–2007, respectively. The groundwater depth in front of the mountain constantly increased from 1986 to 2007. We found that the overuse of surface water and overexploitation of groundwater had direct consequences on the natural environments. We suggests that the efficiency of surface water resources use among different irrigation districts needs to be improved, which will sig- nificantly ease the conflicts between increasing water demand for irrigation and a shortage of water resources in the middle reaches of the Heihe River Basin.     

Impact of land use chanse on water resource allocation in the middle reaches of the Heihe River Basin in northwestern China

In recent decades, China has been experiencing rapid economic development, population growth and urbanization. These processes have stressed the shortages of water resources in China, especially in the arid re- gions of northwestern China. In order to sustain the expanding cropland, people increased groundwater exploitation in these regions. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively analyze the changes in land use and water re- sources, and their relationship in the middle reaches of the Heihe River Basin, a typical inland river basin in northwest China. The data of land use change were interpreted using aerial photographs(1965) and Landsat TM images(1986 and 2007). The data of irrigation water volume in the irrigation districts were spatialized in the middle reaches of the Heihe River Basin. The spatial variation of the groundwater depth was interpolated using the geo- statistical method. The results showed that the cultivated cropland area along oasis fringe increased by 15.38% and 43.60% during the periods 1965–1986 and 1986–2007, respectively. Surface water amount for irrigation had almost doubled from 1956 to 2010. The decrease of grassland area mainly occurred at the alluvial fan in front of the Qilian Mountains, with 36.47% during 1965–1986 and 38.56% during 1986–2007, respectively. The groundwater depth in front of the mountain constantly increased from 1986 to 2007. We found that the overuse of surface water and overexploitation of groundwater had direct consequences on the natural environments. We suggests that the efficiency of surface water resources use among different irrigation districts needs to be improved, which will sig- nificantly ease the conflicts between increasing water demand for irrigation and a shortage of water resources in the middle reaches of the Heihe River Basin.     

Spatial-temporal dynamics of desert vegetation and its responses to climatic variations over the last three decades:a case study of Hexi region in Northwest China

Analysis of spatial-temporal variations of desert vegetation under the background of climate changes can provide references for ecological restoration in arid and semi-arid areas.In this study,we used the Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies(GIMMS)NDVI data from 1982 to 2006 and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS)NDVI data from 2000 to 2013 to reveal the dynamics of desert vegetation in Hexi region of Northwest China over the past three decades.We also used the annual temperature and precipitation data acquired from the Chinese meteorological stations to analyze the response of desert vegetation to climatic variations.The average value of NDVImax(the maximum NDVI during the growing season)for desert vegetation in Hexi region increased at the rate of 0.65×10–3/a(P0.05)from 1982 to 2013,and the significant increases of NDVImax mainly appeared in the typical desert vegetation areas.Vegetation was significantly improved in the lower reaches of Shule and Shiyang river basins,and the weighted mean center of desert vegetation mainly shifted toward the lower reaches of the two basins.Almost 95.32% of the total desert vegetation area showed positive correlation between NDVImax and annual precipitation,indicating that precipitation is the key factor for desert vegetation growth in the entire study area.Moreover,the areas with non-significant positive correlation between NDVImax and annual precipitation mainly located in the lower reaches of Shiyang and Shule river basins,this may be due to human activities.Only 7.64% of the desert vegetation showed significant positive correlation between NDVImax and annual precipitation in the Shule River Basin(an extremely arid area),indicating that precipitation is not the most important factor for vegetation growth in this basin,and further studies are needed to investigate the mechanism for this phenomenon.     

Assessment of water resources in Yarmouk River Basin using geospatial technique during the period 1980–2020

It is common knowledge that Yarmouk River Basin(YRB)is shared between Jordan and Syria.Management of YRB trans-boundary water resources is attracting increasing interest because it is a strategic water resource for the riparian countries.Actually,lack of sharing information regarding hydrological flows and basin’s water management between partners’countries makes it difficult to distinguish between natural and man-made factors affecting the water body.Therefore,this study seeks to address and assess the main on-site changes that exert on YRB.Geospatial technique and arithmetic equations were combined to carry out an assessment of the changes on water resources in YRB.Data,information and field measurements of the basin were aggregated,compiled and presented to determine the extent of changes during the period 1980-2020.Remarkable findings showed that precipitation amount in the basin significantly declined during the period 1980-2020 in particularly after the year 1992.Pumping rate of groundwater was 550 x 103 m3/a,exceeding the basin’s safe yield.Draw down of static groundwater level over time approached the value of-3.2 m/a due to the over abstraction in the aquifer body.Additionally,the evaporation rate reached more than 99%in some regions in the basin.Moreover,the number of private wells has increased from 98 wells in 1980 to 126 wells in 2020,showing the excessive extraction of groundwater.These findings indicate that the study area is subjected to a considerable groundwater depletion in the near future due to extensive abstraction,continuous drilling of illegal wells and decreased annual precipitation under the shadow of the rapid population growth and continuous influx of refugees.Therefore,decision makers-informed scenarios are suggested in the development of water resource portfolios,which involves the combination of management and infrastructural actions that enhance the water productivity of the basin.Further studies are recommended to evaluate the on-site changes on water resources in YRB in collaboration with riparian countries and to establish monitoring system for continuous and accurate measurements of the basin.     

Assessment of water resources in Yarmouk River Basin using geospatial technique during the period 1980–2020

It is common knowledge that Yarmouk River Basin(YRB)is shared between Jordan and Syria.Management of YRB trans-boundary water resources is attracting increasing interest because it is a strategic water resource for the riparian countries.Actually,lack of sharing information regarding hydrological flows and basin’s water management between partners’countries makes it difficult to distinguish between natural and man-made factors affecting the water body.Therefore,this study seeks to address and assess the main on-site changes that exert on YRB.Geospatial technique and arithmetic equations were combined to carry out an assessment of the changes on water resources in YRB.Data,information and field measurements of the basin were aggregated,compiled and presented to determine the extent of changes during the period 1980-2020.Remarkable findings showed that precipitation amount in the basin significantly declined during the period 1980-2020 in particularly after the year 1992.Pumping rate of groundwater was 550 x 103 m3/a,exceeding the basin’s safe yield.Draw down of static groundwater level over time approached the value of-3.2 m/a due to the over abstraction in the aquifer body.Additionally,the evaporation rate reached more than 99%in some regions in the basin.Moreover,the number of private wells has increased from 98 wells in 1980 to 126 wells in 2020,showing the excessive extraction of groundwater.These findings indicate that the study area is subjected to a considerable groundwater depletion in the near future due to extensive abstraction,continuous drilling of illegal wells and decreased annual precipitation under the shadow of the rapid population growth and continuous influx of refugees.Therefore,decision makers-informed scenarios are suggested in the development of water resource portfolios,which involves the combination of management and infrastructural actions that enhance the water productivity of the basin.Further studies are recommended to evaluate the on-site changes on water resources in YRB in collaboration with riparian countries and to establish monitoring system for continuous and accurate measurements of the basin.     

Evaluation of groundwater sustainability based on groundwater age simulation in the Zhangye Basin of Heihe River watershed,northwestern China

Water resources, as the primary limiting factor, constrain the economic and social development in arid inland areas. The Zhangye Basin is a representative area of inland river basins, which is located in the middle parts of the Heihe River watershed, northwestern China. Facing with the huge water shortage, people exploited ground- water at a large scale in recent years. The reducing recharge from surface water and over-exploitation of ground- water led to the decline of groundwater levels and threatened the sustainability of water resources. This study con- structed a conceptual and numerical groundwater flow model and calibrated the model based on the observed wells. A solute transport model was built using MT3DMS to calculate the groundwater age distribution in the Zhangye Basin. The simulated result shows that the youngest groundwater is distributed near the most upstream areas in the model domain, which is less than 1,000 a, older groundwater is distributed in deeper parts of the aquifer and near the discharge outlets, ranging from 6,000 a to over 20,000 a. Spatial variation of groundwater ages in the middle area indicates the recharge diversity between unconfined and confined aquifer. Groundwater age can serve as an indicator to evaluate groundwater’s renewal capacity and sustainability. The formation of groundwater resources in the lower stream area would spend 10,000 a or even more than 20,000 a, so exploitation of groundwater in these areas should be restrained.     

Response mechanisms of nitrate and ammonia nitrogen concentrations to hydrological processes in the riparian hyporheic zone of pastoral areas北大核心CSCD

In pastoral and irrigated agricultural areas, nitrogen-containing livestock, poultry manure, and nitrogen fertilizers can enter the surface water and groundwater from the soil, and this is the main source of non- point source pollution in basins. The riparian hyporheic zone acts as an effective barrier to reduce the nitrogen pollution load. Understanding the mechanisms of the migration, transformation, and removal of nitrogen in riparian hyporheic zones is key to controlling nitrogen pollution in the whole basin. In this study, an upper reach of the Xilin River, located in typical pastoral areas, was selected and its water levels, ammonia (NH+4) and nitrate (NO-3) concentrations, as well as the related environmental factors of the river water and riparian groundwater during the summer flood season, were continuously monitored. Based on the high- solution measurements, a water flow and nitrogen reactive transport model of the riparian hyporheic zones was established using FEFLOW. The model fitted using the measured data was found to accurately reproduce the water level dynamics and two main nitrogen concentrations in the riparian hyporheic zone. The results indicate that there is a high risk of nitrogen pollution in the riparian zones during the summer flood season. The NH+4concentration in the riparian zones can increase from 0.2 mg · L − 1before rainfall events to 7.23 mg · L − 1after rainfall events, and the NO-3concentration can increase from 1 mg · L − 1to 8.27 mg · L − 1. Both measured and simulated results show that the nitrogen dynamics in the hyporheic zone are closely related to hydrological processes such as rainfall events and groundwater-surface water exchange. During rainfall events, NO-3with high mobility was found to infiltrate from the river and the ground surface into the riparian zone due to the leaching effect, resulting in a significant increase in the concentration. Meanwhile, the groundwater- river water exchange enhanced by rainfall events can further regulate NO-3and NH+4concentrations in the riparian hyporheic zone by controlling the input of nutrients and affecting the biogeochemical nitrogen cycles. This study preliminarily reveals the buffering mechanisms of pastoral riparian zones in the hydrological and biogeochemical processes involving nitrogen and provides scientific references for the nitrogen pollution control in pastoral areas. © 2023 Editorial office of Arid Zone Research. All rights reserved.     

Distribution of isotopes and chemicals in precipitation in Shule River Basin,northwestern China:an implication for water cycle and groundwater recharge

The distribution of stable isotopes and ions in precipitation in the Shule River Basin,northwestern China,were investigated to understand the regional water cycle and precipitation input to groundwater recharge.The study found that the mean annual concentrations of Ca2+,Na+,SO42–,Cl–,Mg2+,NO3–,and K+ in the basin were lower than those in other arid areas of northwestern China.The average concentrations of ions in the lower reaches of the Shule River were higher than those in the upper reaches.The results showed that the main ionic concentrations decreased with the increase of precipitation amount,indicating that heavy precipitation cannot only wash crustal aerosols out of the atmosphere,but also create a dilution effect.Cl– and Na+ in precipitation had a strong and positive correlation,suggesting a common origin for the two ions.However,the excess of Na+,combined with non-marine SO42– and NO3–,indicated that some ions were contributed by terrestrial origins.In the extremely arid regions of northwestern China,the evaporation process obviously changes the original relationship between δ2H and δ18O in precipitation,and leads to dexcess values 8‰.δ18O and temperature were significantly correlated,suggested that temperature strongly affected the characteristics of isotopes in the study area.The δ18O value indicates a dominant effect of westerly air masses and southwest monsoon in warm months,and the integrated influence of westerly and Siberian-Mongolian polar air masses in cold months.The d-excess values were generally lower in warm months than those in cold months,indicating that post-condensation processes played a significant role in the water cycle.The results provide reliable precipitation input information that can be used in future groundwater recharge calculations in the study area.     

Five decades of glacier changes in the Hulugou Basin of central Qilian Mountains,Northwest China

The Heihe River Basin is the second largest inland river basin in the arid regions of Northwest China. Glaciers provide a large proportion of water resources for human production and living. Studies of glacier changes and their impact on water resources in the arid lands are of vital importance. A joint expedition was carried out in 2010 for investigating glaciers in the Hulugou Basin, which is located in the upper reaches of Heihe River. Therefore, glacier changes in the Hulugou Basin of central Qilian Mountains during the past 50 years were analyzed in this study by comparing topographic maps, satellite images, digital elevation models and field observation data from different periods. Results showed that the total area of the 6 glaciers in the Hulugou Basin decreased by 0.590±0.005 km2 during the period 1956–2011, corresponding to a loss of 40.7% over the total area in 1956. The average area reduction rate of the 6 glaciers is 0.011 km2/a. During the past five decades, the glacier shrinkage was accelerated. The changes in glacier ice surface elevation ranged from –15 to 3 m with an average thinning of 10±8 m or an annual decrease of 0.23±0.18 m(0.20±0.15 m/a water equivalent) for the period 1956–2000. The area of Shiyi Glacier in the Hulugou Basin decreased from 0.64 km2 in 1956 to 0.53 km2 in 2011 with a reduction rate of 17.2%. The Shiyi Glacier had been divided into two separated glaciers because of severe melting. Comparative analysis showed that glacier shrinkage in the Hulugou Basin is more serious than that in the other regions of Qilian Mountains.     

黑河中游临泽地区夏季露水的生成

对于降雨稀少的内陆干旱区,露水具有重要的生态学意义.在黑河中游的张掖市临泽县平川镇,于2008年6～9月利用人造面板法对露水进行了连续90d的观测,发现:①只有当露水收集板的温度低于露点时,露水才能生成;②观测期间河岸带共生成露水52次,总生成量为4.26 nn,绿洲内共生成34次,总生成量为1.52 mm,戈壁共生成...     

Stand structure and height-diameter relationship of a degraded Populus euphratica forest in the lower reaches of the Tarim River,Northwest China

Understanding stand structure and height-diameter relationship of trees provides very useful information to establish appropriate countermeasures for sustainable management of endangered forests. Populus euphratica, a dominant tree species along the Tarim River watershed, plays an irreplaceable role in the sustainable development of regional ecology, economy and society. However, as the result of climate changes and human activities, the natural riparian ecosystems within the whole river basin were degraded enormously, particularly in the lower reaches of the river where about 320 km of the riparian forests were either highly degraded or dead. In this study, we presented one of the main criteria for the assessment of vitality of P. euphratica forests by estimating the defoliation level, and analyzed forest structure and determined the height-diameter(height means the height of a tree and diameter means the diameter at breast height(DBH) of a tree) relationship of trees in different vitality classes(i.e. healthy, good, medium, senesced, dying, dead and fallen). Trees classified as healthy and good accounted for approximately 40% of all sample trees, while slightly and highly degraded trees took up nearly 60% of total sample trees. The values of TH(tree height) and DBH ranged from 0–19 m and 0–125 cm, respectively. Trees more than 15 m in TH and 60 cm in DBH appeared sporadically. Trees in different vitality classes had different distribution patterns. Healthy trees were mainly composed more of relatively younger trees than of degraded tress. The height-diameter relationships differed greatly among tress in different vitality classes, with the coefficients ranging from 0.1653 to 0.6942. Correlation coefficients of TH and DBH in healthy and good trees were higher than those in trees of other vitality classes. The correlation between TH and DBH decreased with the decline of tree vitality. Our results suggested that it might be able to differentiate degraded P. euphratica trees from healthy trees by determining the height-diameter correlation coefficient, and the coefficient would be a new parameter for detecting degradation and assessing sustainable management of floodplain forests in arid regions. In addition, tree vitality should be taken into account to make an accurate height-diameter model for tree height prediction.     

石羊河中下游河岸带植被对地下水位变化的响应

通过对石羊河中下游河岸带的地下水位定位观测及植被和土壤水盐含量调查发现：河岸带地下水位与河床横向间距呈正相关;在长流水河段的河岸带,以植被类型、物种丰富度和植被盖度与河床间距的关系,判断河流影响地下水位距河床的范围约为130 m,但对于河岸带植被作用距河床横向间距可达500 m。在断流河段,距古河床0~200 m区间内分布河岸植物种。虽然石羊河下游断流,但河流地貌影响地下水位,有利于植物生长。调查区域内有5个植被型,12个群系和29个群丛,河岸带发育隐域植被类型。当地下水位≤2 m时,沼泽草甸发育;当地下水位3~6 m时,以芦苇、赖草和骆驼蓬为建群种的盐化草甸发育;地下水位≤14 m时,则柽柳灌丛繁茂。石羊河的径流量丰欠影响河岸带地下水位变化,河岸带植被组成、结构和分布响应地下水位埋深。
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黑河中游过去20年地下水位空间变异性分析

以西北内陆干旱区黑河中游为研究对象,基于1985年和2005年地下水位观测资料,利用地理信息系统(GIS)和地统计学(Geostatistics)方法,综合分析了过去20年来地下水空间变异规律。结果表明:黑河中游近20年来地下水位空间相关性减弱,局部异质性增强,地下水的连通性和脆弱性增加,冲积扇中上部地下水补给区的水位下降(5～15 m)显著,冲积扇下部和河谷细土平原地下水消耗区水位稳定下降,河谷盆地和河谷平原区同时存在水位上升现象,产生了环境地质灾害。因此,为了保持干旱区内陆河流域可持续发展,需要从多角度分析流域的水资源变异规律,合理配置干旱内陆河流域水资源,针对局部环境地质灾害尽快采取相应措施。     

张掖市水环境演化对黑河下游绿洲生态的影响与对策

绿洲是干旱区特有的地理景观,有水成绿洲,无水变荒漠。黑河下游的额济纳绿洲极度干旱,黑河是其唯一的水源。然而由于中游张掖市人口的迅速增长和工农业大规模发展,加上对水资源的不合理开发利用,导致正义峡径流量日益减少,额济纳绿洲的生态环境急剧恶化。本文着重论述了黑河中游张掖市水环境的现状及其对下游额济纳绿洲生态的影响,并提出了相应的对策。     

基于生态需水配置的额济纳绿洲恢复方案

在简要分析额济纳地区水分-绿洲驱动演变的基础上,分析了额济纳地区未来供水条件,并从生态系统的需水机理出发,提出了基于生态功能考虑的干旱区生态需水量计算方法。以《黑河流域近期治理规划》提出的分水指标和生态恢复水平为依据,综合考虑绿洲规模和生态功能之间的竞争关系,以生态需水为主要配制指标,提出了近期2010年额济纳绿洲的恢复方案。     

Response of Populus euphratica Oliv.sap flow to environmental variables for a desert riparian forest in the Heihe River Basin,Northwest China

Being an important desert riparian forest in the lower reaches of the Heihe River Basin,Populus euphratica Oliv.forest functions as a natural barrier in maintaining and preserving the stability of local oases.Accordingly,accurately estimating the water use of P.euphratica is important for vegetation protection and water resource allocation.To date,little data are available for evaluating the hysteretic effects between sap flow and environmental variables,and for estimating the water use of desert riparian forest.In this study,we measured the sap flow velocity(V_s)of P.euphratica using the heat ratio method during the growing season of 2012.Based on the response of V_s to solar radiation(R_s)and vapor pressure deficit(VPD),we estimated the hourly Vsand daily V_s using the multivariable linear regression and a modified Jarvis-Stewart(JS)model,respectively.Hysteretic response of V_s to environmental variables was then evaluated using a sap flow model.We found the thresholds of V_s responses to R_s and VPD at both hourly and daily scales during the growing season,and successfully estimated the seasonal variations of hourly V_s and daily V_s using the JS model.At an hourly scale,the maximum V_s occurred earlier than the maximum VPD by approximately 0.5 h but later than the maximum R_s by approximate 1.0 h.At a daily scale,the maximum V_s lagged behind the maximum VPD by approximately 2.5 h while occurred earlier than the maximum R_s by approximately 2 h.However,hysteretic response of V_swas weakened when R_s and VPD were measured together using the JS model at both hourly and daily scales.Consequently,short-term and intensive field campaigns,where V_s and environmental variables can be measured,may be used to estimate short-run sap flow and stand transpiration using only two environmental variables.     

近30 a黑河流域中游临泽县地下水变化趋势

基于黑河流域中游临泽县1984-2010年地下水埋深的监测资料,结合GS⁺、ArcGIS软件和地统计方法,对1986、1991、1996、2001、2006年和2010年的地下水埋深分别进行了半变异函数分析、理论模型选取以及空间插值分析。结果表明：受地形和土地利用变化等因素的影响,临泽县各灌区地下水埋深整体上呈逐年下降趋势。从不同的景观带来看,戈壁荒漠、河岸湿地地下水埋深年内波动很小,绿洲内部农田生态系统、绿洲边缘和绿洲-荒漠过渡带地下水埋深年内基本呈双峰型波动,两个峰值分别出现在5月和12月。地下水埋深的理论模型是指数模型,其空间变异主要是由气候、地形、地质等结构性因素引起的,且埋深变化没有显著的区域分异。地下水埋深空间分布特征为南北深,中间浅;小于4 m的区域1986-2010年面积减少了337.01 km²,占全县的12.58%,缩小趋势明显;而大于6 m的区域逐渐扩大到了全县面积的近2/3。     

黑河下游胡杨林耗水规律研究

2003年5-10月,对黑河下游额济纳绿洲中一块25年生的胡杨林耗水进行了研究,结果表明通过标准木的标准比导率和树木胸径和边材面积的相关模型,可以比较准确地推算出林分的蒸腾耗水量。胡杨林的蒸腾耗水量具有明显的季节差异;胡杨幼林在生长季节耗水量为213.4mm。林分的生长状况主要受地下水位和土壤含水量的影响。