Accumulation of soil organic carbon during natural restoration of desertified grassland in China’s Horqin Sandy Land

China's Horqin Sandy Land,a formerly lush grassland,has experienced extensive desertification that caused considerable carbon(C) losses from the plant-soil system.Natural restoration through grazing exclusion is a widely suggested option to sequester C and to restore degraded land.In a desertified grassland,we investigated the C accumulation in the total and light fractions of the soil organic matter from 2005 to 2013 during natural restoration.To a depth of 20 cm,the light fraction organic carbon(LFOC) storage increased by 221 g C/m2(84%) and the total soil organic carbon(SOC) storage increased by 435 g C/m2(55%).The light fraction dry matter content represented a small proportion of the total soil mass(ranging from 0.74% in 2005 to 1.39% in 2013),but the proportion of total SOC storage accounted for by LFOC was remarkable(ranging from 33% to 40%).The C sequestration averaged 28 g C/(m2·a) for LFOC and 54 g C/(m2·a) for total SOC.The total SOC was strongly and significantly positively linearly related to the light fraction dry matter content and the proportions of fine sand and silt+clay.The light fraction organic matter played a major role in total SOC sequestration.Our results suggest that grazing exclusion can restore desertified grassland and has a high potential for sequestering SOC in the semiarid Horqin Sandy Land.     

Soil exchangeable base cations along a chronosequence of Caragana microphylla plantation in a semi-arid sandy land,China

As a pioneer leguminous shrub species for vegetation re-establishment,Caragana microphylla is widely distributed in the semi-fixed and fixed sandy lands of the Horqin region,North China.C.microphylla plantations modify organic carbon(SOC),nitrogen(N) and phosphorus dynamics,bulk density and water-holding capacity,and biological activities in soils,but little is known with regard to soil exchange properties.Variation in soil exchangeable base cations was examined under C.microphylla plantations with an age sequence of 0,5,10,and 22 years in the Horqin Sandy Land,and at the depth of 0-10,10-20,and 20-30 cm,respectively.C.microphylla has been planted on the non-vegetated sand dunes with similar physical-chemical soil properties.The results showed that exchangeable calcium(Ca),magnesium(Mg),and potassium(K),and cation exchange capacity(CEC) were significantly increased,and Ca saturation tended to decrease,while Mg and K saturations were increased with the plantation years.No difference was observed for exchangeable sodium(Na) neither with plantation years nor at soil depths.Of all the base cations and soil layers,exchangeable K at the depth of 0-10 cm accumulated most quickly,and it increased by 1.76,3.16,and 4.25 times,respectively after C.microphylla was planted for 5,10,and 22 years.Exchangeable Ca,Mg,and K,and CEC were significantly(P<0.001) and positively correlated with SOC,total N,pH,and electrical conductivity(EC).Soil pH and SOC are regarded as the main factors influencing the variation in exchangeable cations,and the preferential absorption of cations by plants and different leaching rates of base cations that modify cation saturations under C.microphylla plantation.It is concluded that as a nitrogen-fixation species,C.microphylla plantation is beneficial to increasing exchangeable base cations and CEC in soils,and therefore can improve soil fertility and create favorable microenvironments for plants and creatures in the semi-arid sandy land ecosystems.     

科尔沁沙地小叶锦鸡儿人工林防风固沙及改良土壤效应研究

为探讨小叶锦鸡儿防风固沙、改良土壤养分状况和生物活性的能力,选取6年和11年生小叶锦鸡儿人工固沙林为对象,以流动沙丘为对照,研究不同年龄固沙林降低风速和风沙流结构特征、土壤有机质和N,P含量、土壤酶的活性以及微生物生物量C,N,P含量的变化特征.结果表明:在小叶锦鸡儿灌木林内,各个高度风速和输沙量均显著低于流动沙丘,防风固沙效果明显.随着小叶锦鸡儿固沙群落发育时间的增长,其综合防风性能提高,土壤有机质、N,P,K含量和生物活性逐渐得到改善.O～30 cm土层中磷酸单酯酶、蛋白酶、脲酶、蔗糖酶、硝酸还原酶、多酚氧化酶、脱氢酶的活性和土壤微生物生物量C,N和P含量均大幅度提高,其中O～10 cm土层增幅最大.土壤酶中蔗糖酶的活性增加最为迅速,6年和11年生固沙林O～10 cm 土层分别是流动沙丘的28.58倍和55.21倍.小叶锦鸡儿不仅具有较好的防风固沙性能,而且表现出强大的改善土壤养分和生物活性的能力,可作为优良的固沙植物材料在科尔沁沙地大面积推广应用.     

Carbon sequestration in the total and light fraction soil organic matter along a chronosequence in grazing exclosures in a semiarid degraded sandy site in China

Horqin Sandy Land is a fragile,seriously desertified region located in Inner Mongolia of China.Overgrazing is one of the primary drivers of desertification in this region.We investigated whether the establishment of grazing exclosures in areas with active sand dunes enhances soil carbon(C) sequestration and benefits soil recovery.The results showed that soil organic C storage was 1.4,1.9,and 3.5 times,and light fraction C storage was 2.3,3.2,and 4.4 times in the 100-cm topsoil after 7,12,and 25 years of grazing exclusion,respectively,compared to the case in active sand dunes.The light fraction of soil played an important role in soil C sequestration,although it might not change rapidly to provide an early indication of how soil C is increasing in response to grazing exclusion.The results indicated that soils could potentially sequester up to 13.8 Mt C in 25 years if active sand dunes in the study area were to be protected by exclosures.This corresponds to 12.8% of the estimated carbon loss(107.53 Mt) that has been associated with desertification over the past century in the Horqin Sandy Land.Our results suggested that exclosures have the capacity to increase soil C sequestration;however,decades will be required for soil C to recover to historical grassland levels observed prior to desertification.     

Species composition and diversity,and carbon stock in a dune ecosystem in the Horqin Sandy Land of northern China

In this study, we determined carbon allocation and carbon stocks in the plant-soil system of different dune ecosystems in northeastern China. We quantified the species composition, above- and below-ground biomasses, and carbon stocks of three dune types(i.e. active dunes, semi-stabilized dunes and stabilized dunes) and their corresponding inter-dune lowlands(i.e. interdune lowlands of active dunes, interdune lowlands of semi-stabilized dunes and interdune lowlands of stabilized dunes) in the Horqin Sandy Land. The results showed that the succession series on interdune lowlands of the Horqin Sandy Land confirmed differences in species composition of the various dune types. Aboveground carbon(AGC) on the interdune lowlands of semi-stabilized dunes(33.04 g C/m2) was greater(P<0.05) than that on the interdune lowlands of active dunes(10.73 g C/m2). At the same time, the different dune types did not show any significant differences(P>0.05) in belowground plant carbon(BGC). However, the percentage of plant BGC in interdune lowlands of active dunes(81.5%) was significantly higher(P<0.05) than that in the interdune lowlands of semi-stabilized dunes(58.9%). The predominant carbon pool in the study dune ecosystem was in the soil. It accounted for 95% to 99% of total carbon storage. Soil organic carbon(SOC) was at least 55% greater(P<0.05) in the interdunes than in the dunes. Stabilized dunes showed at least a 37% greater(P<0.05) SOC content than active dunes up to a 1-m soil depth. Meanwhile, SOC content of interdune lowlands of semi-stabilized dunes was greater(P<0.05) than that of interdune lowlands of active dunes only up to a 20-cm soil depth. The dune ecosystem showed a great potential to store carbon when interdune lowlands of active dunes were conversed to interdune lowlands of semi-stabilized dunes, which stored up to twice as much carbon per unit volume as interdune lowlands of active dunes.     

Corn straw return can increase labile soil organic carbon fractions and improve water-stable aggregates in Haplic Cambisol

Corn straw return to the field is a vital agronomic practice for increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) and its labile fractions, as well as soil aggregates and organic carbon (OC) associated with water-stable aggregates (WSA). Moreover, the labile SOC fractions play an important role in OC turnover and sequestration. The aims of this study were to determine how different corn straw returning modes affect the contents of labile SOC fractions and OC associated with WSA. Corn straw was returned in the following depths: (1) on undisturbed soil surface (NTS), (2) in the 0-10 cm soil depth (MTS), (3) in the 0-20 cm soil depth (CTS), and (4) no corn straw applied (CK). After five years (2014-2018), soil was sampled in the 0-20 and 20-40 cm depths to measure the water-extractable organic C (WEOC), permanganate oxidizable C (KMnO₄-C), light fraction organic C (LFOC), and WSA fractions. The results showed that compared with CK, corn straw amended soils (NTS, MTS and CTS) increased SOC content by 11.55%-16.58%, WEOC by 41.38%-51.42%, KMnO₄-C and LFOC by 29.84%-34.09% and 56.68%-65.36% in the 0-40 cm soil depth. The LFOC and KMnO₄-C were proved to be the most sensitive fractions to different corn straw returning modes. Compared with CK, soils amended with corn straw increased mean weight diameter by 24.24%-40.48% in the 0-20 cm soil depth. The NTS and MTS preserved more than 60.00% of OC in macro-aggregates compared with CK. No significant difference was found in corn yield across all corn straw returning modes throughout the study period, indicating that adoption of NTS and MTS would increase SOC content and improve soil structure, and would not decline crop production.     

Rhizosphere organic phosphorus fractions of Simon poplar and Mongolian pine plantations in a semiarid sandy land of northeastern China

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of rhizosphere organic phosphorus(P) in soil P supply in semiarid forests and the effects of tree species on rihizosphere organic P. We examined organic P fractions in rhizosphere and bulk soils of mono-specific Simon poplar(Populus simonii) and Mongolian pine(Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) plantations in a semiarid sandy soil of Horqin Sandy Land in Northeast China. Total organic P(TPo) accounted for 76% of total P across the two stands. The concentration of organic P(Po) fractions decreased in the order of Na OH-Po>Res-Po>HCl-Po>Na HCO3-Po in both plantations. The concentration of Na HCO3-Po was 38% and 43% lower in rhizosphere soil than in bulk soil in Simon poplar and Mongolian pine plantations, respectively. In contrast, total P, TPo and Na OH-Po significantly accumulated in rhizosphere soil in Simon poplar plantations, but no change in Mongolian pine plantations. Soil recalcitrant organic P fractions were positively correlated with soil organic carbon. The results suggest that rhizosphere labile organic P was an important source of plant-available P in this semiarid region, but the dynamic of rhizosphere recalcitrant organic P fractions varied with tree species and was correlated to organic carbon dynamics.     

Variation in soil water content to rainfall under Caragana microphylla shrub in Horqin Sandy Land

In order to investigate the spatio-temporal variability of soil water content to rainfall under Caragana microphylla shrub in Horqin Sandy Land,a plot of 25 m × 25 m,where there were 6 shrub canopies of C. microphylla,was sited for measuring soil water content at two soil layers of 0-20 cm (top layer) and 20-40 cm (lower layer). Soil water content was measured on the 1st,5th,10th and 15th day after a 42 mm rainfall in Naiman of Inner Mongolia. The results showed that soil water contents at both layers under C. microphylla shrub were gradually decreased after the rain. Soil water content at the top layer outside the shrub canopy was higher than that inside the shrub canopy within 5 days,and became similar inside and outside the shrub canopy on the 10th day after the 42 mm rainfall,and it was lower outside than that inside the shrub canopy on the 15th day. The soil water content at lower layer in the area without shrubs was higher than that under shrub canopy all along. All the measured values of soil water content can be fitted to a variogram model. There was significant autocorrelation of the values of soil water content between top layer and lower layer,except for the fourth measured values of soil water content at top layer. The range and spatial dependence of soil water content at top layer were lower than that at lower layer.     

Land cover changes and the effects of cultivation on soil properties in Shelihu wetland,Horqin Sandy Land,Northern China

Land cover change plays an essential role in the alternation of soils properties.By field investigation and applying satellite images,land cover information in the Shelihu wetland was carried out in an area of 2,819 hm 2 in 1985,1995,2000,2005,2010 and 2011,respectively,in Horqin Sandy Land.A total of 57 soil sampling sites across Shelihu were chosen in wet meadow(CL0),cropland(CL) and sandy land(SL) according to the spatial characteristics of water body change.Soil texture,organic carbon(SOC),total nitrogen(TN) and total phosphorus(TP) contents,electrical conductivity(EC) and pH were measured at the soil depths of 0-10,10-20 and 20-40 cm to examine the influence of agricultural conversion and continuous cultivation on soil properties.The results showed that the study area was covered by water body in 1985,which gradually declined afterwards and then reclaimed rapidly at a mean annual rate of 132.1 hm 2 /a from wet meadow to cropland since 1995.In 2011,water body was drained and the area was occupied by 10.8% of CL0,76.9% of CL and 12.3% of SL.Large amounts of SOC,TN and TP were accumulated in the above depths in CL0.Soil in CL0 also had higher EC and silt and clay fractions,lower pH than in SL and CL.Soil in SL was seriously degraded with lower contents of SOC,TN and TP than in CL and CL0.SOC,TN content and EC in CL decreased with the increase of cultivation age,while pH showed a reverse trend with significance at plough horizon.The agricultural conversion in Shelihu was driven by the comprehensive factors of precipitation reduction,economic development and intense competitions for irrigation water.Continuous cultivation in this process is not sustainable because of SOC degradation and nutrient content reduction.The key point is that conventional tillage and removal of residuals induced further land degradation.Wetland reclamation for immediate economic interests led to greater costs in the long-term environmental restoration in Horqin Sandy Land.     

Plantations of native shrub species restore soil microbial diversity in the Horqin Sandy Land,northeastern China

Caragana microphylla Lam., a leguminous shrub species, plays an important role in revegetation in the degraded ecosystems of the Horqin Sandy Land, Northeastern China. Large areas planted with this shrub have been artificially established as sand binders for soil protection, which might change the composition of soil bacterial communities with the development of sand dune stabilization. In this paper, we investigated the diversity and composition of native soil bacterial communities in the C. microphylla plantation for sand fixation using polymerase chain reaction with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis（PCR-DGGE） to understand the influence of this plantation on sandy soil ecosystem development. We collected soil samples from plantations with an age sequence of 0, 9, 16, and 26 years, as well as from the natural community, to identify the differences among soil bacterial communities. The result showed that bacterial abundance and community composition in the sandy land were affected by the age of the C. microphylla plantation. Moreover, bacterial diversity decreased with increasing plantation age, and the composition of the bacterial community in the 26-year plantation was similar to that in the natural community. Phylogenetic analysis of bands excised from the DGGE gels showed that members of alpha Proteobacterium, gamma Proteobacterium, Gemmatimonadetes and Chloroflexi were dominant in the sandy land. The stabilization of moving sand dune and development of sand-fixed plantation resulted in an increase of soil fertility, which could drive the structural evolvement of soil bacterial community, and it needs over 20 years for the soil bacterial community to form a stable structure, similar to the case for the natural vegetation.     

Effects of different plantation types on soil properties after vegetation restoration in an alpine sandy land on the Tibetan Plateau,China

Large areas of Artemisia ordosica Krasch., Caragana korshinskii Kom., and Caragana intermedia Kuang and H. C. Fu plantations were established on moving sand dunes in the Gonghe Basin(northeastern Tibetan Plateau) for vegetation restoration. Elevating our understanding of the changes in soil characteristics after the establishment of different plantation types can be useful in the context of combating desertification. To assess the effects of these plantation types on the restoration of sandy land, we measured soil physical-chemical properties at four depths(0–5, 5–10, 10–20, and 20–50 cm) in each of the three plantation types and also in non-vegetated moving sand dunes(as control sites). Generally, the establishment of A. ordosica, C. korshinskii and C. intermedia plantations on sand dunes has greatly ameliorated soil quality in the Gonghe Basin. Specifically, relative to the moving sand dunes, shrub plantation has increased the silt and clay contents, total porosity and water holding capacity, soil organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total potassium contents. The calculated soil quality index suggested that in the Gonghe Basin, C. intermedia is the best choice for soil amelioration. In all the three plantation types, soil amelioration mainly occurred in the shallow depths.     

Changes in soil organic carbon and nitrogen after 26 years of farmland management on the Loess Plateau of China

Soil carbon(C) and nitrogen(N) play a crucial role in determining the soil and environmental quality. In this study, we investigated the effects of 26 years(from 1984 to 2010) of farmland management on soil organic carbon(SOC) and soil N in abandoned, wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) non-fertilized, wheat fertilized(mineral fertilizer and organic manure) and alfalfa(Medicago Sativa L.) non-fertilized treatments in a semi-arid region of the Loess Plateau, China. Our results showed that SOC and soil total N contents in the 0–20 cm soil layer increased by 4.29(24.4%) and 1.39 Mg/hm2(100%), respectively, after the conversion of farmland to alfalfa land. Compared to the wheat non-fertilized treatment, SOC and soil total N contents in the 0–20 cm soil layer increased by 4.64(26.4%) and 1.18 Mg/hm2(85.5%), respectively, in the wheat fertilized treatment. In addition, we found that the extents of changes in SOC, soil total N and mineral N depended on soil depth were greater in the upper soil layer(0–30 cm) than in the deeper soil layer(30–100 cm) in the alfalfa land or fertilizer-applied wheat land. Fertilizer applied to winter wheat could increase the accumulation rates of SOC and soil total N. SOC concentration had a significant positive correlation with soil total N concentration. Therefore, this study suggested that farmland management, e.g. the conversion of farmland to alfalfa forage land and fertilizer application, could promote the sequestrations of C and N in soils in semi-arid regions.     

The impact of land use change on soil organic carbon and labile organic carbon stocks in the Longzhong region of Loess Plateau

Land use change (LUC) is widely recognized as one of the most important driving forces of global carbon cycles. The soil organic carbon (SOC) and labile organic carbon (LOC) stores were investigated at arable land (AL), artificial grassland (AG), artificial woodland (AW), abandoned arable land (AAL) and desert steppe (DS) in the Longzhong region of the Loess Plateau in Northwest China. The results showed that conversions from DS to AL, AL to AG and AL to AAL led to an increase in SOC content, while the conversion from DS to AW led to a decline. The differences in SOC content were significant between DS and AW at the 20-40 cm depth and between AL and AG at the 0-10 cm depth. The SOC stock in DS at the 0-100 cm depth was 39.4 t/hm 2 , increased by 28.48% after cultivation and decreased by 19.12% after conversion to AW. The SOC stocks increased by 2.11% from AL to AG and 5.10% from AL to AAL. The LOC stocks changed by a larger magnitude than the SOC stocks, which suggests that it is a more sensitive index of carbon dynamics under a short-term LUC. The LOC stocks increased at 0-20 cm and 0-100 cm depths from DS to AW, which is opposite to that observed for SOC. The proportion of LOC to SOC ranged from 0.14 to 0.20 at the 0-20 cm depth for all the five land use types, indicating low SOC dynamics. The allocation proportion of LOC increased for four types of LUC conversion, and the change in magnitude was largest for DS to AW (40.91%). The afforestation, abandonment and forage planting on arable land led to sequestration of SOC; the carbon was lost initially after afforestation. However, the carbon sink effect after abandonment may not be sustainable in the study area.     

Long-term effects of gravel―sand mulch on soil organic carbon and nitrogen in the Loess Plateau of northwestern China

Gravel–sand mulch has been used for centuries to conserve water in the Loess Plateau of northwestern China. In this study, we assessed the influence of long-term(1996–2012) gravel–sand mulching of cultivated soils on total organic carbon(TOC), light fraction organic carbon(LFOC), microbial biomass carbon(MBC), total organic nitrogen(TON), particulate organic carbon(POC), mineral-associated organic carbon(MOC), permanganate-oxidizable carbon(KMn O4-C), and non-KMn O4-C at 0–60 cm depths. Mulching durations were 7, 11 and 16 years, with a non-mulched control. Compared to the control, there was no significant and consistently positive effect of the mulch on TOC, POC, MOC, KMn O4-C and non-KMn O4-C before 11 years of mulching, and these organic C fractions generally decreased significantly by 16 years. LFOC, TON and MBC to at a 0–20 cm depth increased with increasing mulching duration until 11 years, and then these fractions decreased significantly between 11 and 16 years, reaching values comparable to or lower than those in the control. KMn O4-C was most strongly correlated with the labile soil C fractions. Our findings suggest that although gravel–sand mulch may conserve soil moisture, it may also lead to long-term decreases in labile soil organic C fractions and total organic N in the study area. The addition of manure or composted manure would be a good choice to reverse the soil deterioration that occurs after 11 years by increasing the inputs of organic matter.     

Conventional tillage improves the storage of soil organic carbon in heavy fractions in the Loess Plateau,China

Soil labile organic carbon(C) plays an important role in improving soil quality. The relatively stable fractions of soil organic C(SOC) represent the bulk of SOC, and are also the primary determinant of the long-term C balance of terrestrial ecosystems. Different land use types can influence the distribution patterns of different SOC fractions. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In the present study, different fractions of SOC were determined in two land use types: a grazed grassland(established on previously cultivated cropland 25 years ago, GG) and a long-term cultivated millet cropland(MC). The results showed that C concentration and C storage of light fractions(LF) and heavy fractions(HF) presented different patterns along the soil profiles in the two sites. More plant residues in GG resulted in 91.9% higher LF storage at the 0–10 cm soil depth, further contributed to 21.9% higher SOC storage at this soil depth; SOC storage at 20–60 cm soil depth in MC was 98.8% higher than that in GG, which could be mainly attributed to the HF storage 104.5% higher than in GG. This might be caused by the long-term application of organic manure, as well as the protection from plough pan and silt- and clay-sized particles. The study indicated that different soil management practices in this region can greatly influence the variations of different SOC fractions, while the conventional tillage can greatly improve the storage of SOC by increasing heavy fractions.     

连续14年保护性耕作对土壤总有机碳和轻组有机碳的影响

依托于2001年布设在陇中黄土高原半干旱雨养农业区的保护性耕作定位试验,于2014年测定了5种保护性耕作(免耕+秸秆覆盖NTS、免耕NT、传统耕作+秸秆翻埋TS、传统耕作+地膜覆盖TP和免耕+地膜覆盖NTP)和传统耕作T处理下小麦-豌豆双序列轮作中表层土壤(0~5、5~10、10~30 cm)总有机碳(SOC)和轻组有机碳(LFOC)在作物生育期前后的变化。结果表明:土壤总有机碳和轻组有机碳在土壤剖面上均随着土层深度的增加而降低;相比传统耕作T,NTS和TS处理能显著提高0~30 cm土层中SOC、LFOC的含量,在作物播种前较T分别提高了19.51%、64.58%和13.36%、42.08%,在收获后分别提高了28.00%、85.37%和18.61%、77.82%,而SOC、LFOC含量NT和TP处理与T处理间差异不显著;从作物播种前至收获后,各处理下0~30 cm土层SOC含量均有减小趋势,其中NTS和TS处理变化量最小,NT和TP处理加大了作物生育期间SOC和LFOC的消耗;LFOC可以灵敏地反应出土壤有机碳的变化。因此,在该区推行以免耕、秸秆覆盖为主的保护性耕作措施更有利于碳的积累和土壤质量的改善,促进该区农业的可持续发展。     

Effects of land-use types on the vertical distribution of fractions of oxidizable organic carbon on the Loess Plateau,China

The oxidizability of soil organic carbon(SOC_) influences soil quality and carbon sequestration. Four fractions of oxidizable organic carbon(very labile(C_1), labile(C_2), less labile(C_3) and non-labile(C_4)) reflect the status and composition of SOC_ and have implications for the change and retention of SOC_. Studies of the fractions of oxidizable organic carbon(OC_) have been limited to shallow soil depths and agroecosystems. How these fractions respond at deep soil depths and in other types of land-use is not clear. In this study, we evaluated the vertical distributions of the fractions of oxidizable organic carbon to a soil depth of 5.0 m in 10 land-use types in the Zhifanggou Watershed on the Loess Plateau, C_hina. Along the soil profile, C_1 contents were highly variable in the natural grassland and shrubland I(C_aragana microphylla), C_2 and C_4 contents were highly variable in the natural grassland and two terraced croplands, respectively, and C_3 contents varied little. Among the land-use types, natural grassland had the highest C__1 and C_2 contents in the 0–0.4 m layers, followed by shrubland I in the 0–0.1 m layer. Natural grassland had the highest C_4 contents in the 1.0–4.5 m layers. Natural grassland and shrubland I thus contributed to improve the oxidizability of SOC_ in shallow soil, and the deep soil of natural grassland has a large potential to sequester SOC_ on the Loess Plateau.     

科尔沁沙地坨甸交错区土壤水分的空间变异规律

科尔沁沙地沙丘-草甸相间地区,地貌形态多样、土地利用类型众多,从而导致土壤水分空间分布的复杂性。通过对科尔沁沙地典型沙丘-草甸相间地区的调查取样与试验分析,运用统计学理论和方法,研究土壤水分的空间变异性及其空间分布规律。结果表明：水平方向上,土壤水分总体表现为草甸地大于沙丘地,过渡带介于两者之间。就草甸地而言,植物生长越好,其土壤水分越高,保水持水性能也越好;沙丘地则与之相反,植被最稀疏的流动沙丘,其土壤含水量大于半流动半固定沙丘与固定沙丘,且有良好的储水条件。垂向上,高覆盖草甸、低覆盖草甸和农田（草甸）土壤含水量在地表下0～40 cm波动最大,40～160 cm随深度增加而递增;流动沙丘、半流动沙丘和固定沙丘土壤含水量随深度增加呈微弱加大趋势。林地、撂荒地、农田（沙丘）变化程度居中。从空间分布看,研究区中东部土壤水分偏大,且向南北两侧区域递减。     

Effects of vegetation types on soil water dynamics during vegetation restoration in the Mu Us Sandy Land,northwestern China

The arid and semi-arid northwestern China has been undergoing ecological degradation and the efforts to reverse the ecological degradation have been undertaken for many years. Some shifting dunes have been fixed and the vegetation has been partially recovered in certain areas and the Mu Us Sandy Land in the Ordos Plateau is an example of the success. The present study attempts to reveal the relationships between the vegetation restoration and ecohydrology in the Mu Us Sandy Land. We continuously measured soil water content at 10-min intervals under three vegetation types(i.e., shifting dune, shrub-dominated community, and herb-dominated community) in the Mu Us Sandy Land from April 2012 to October 2013. The results show the infiltration coefficient increased with increased rainfall amount and eventually reached a stable value. Infiltration coefficients were 0.91, 0.64, and 0.74 in the shifting dune, in the shrub-dominated community, and in the herb-dominated community, respectively. Cumulative infiltration and soil texture are two vital factors affecting the depths of rainfall penetration. Only rainfall events larger than 35.0 mm could recharge soil water at the 60–80 cm layer in the herb-dominated community. Our results imply that the expected forward succession of restored vegetation may be destined to deterioration after reaching the climax simply because of following two facts:(1) soil water is mainly retained at shallower layer and(2) plant fine roots mainly distribute in deeper layer in the herb-dominated community.     

差巴嘎蒿(Artemisia Halodendron)种子萌发对土壤温度、水分和埋深的响应

差巴嘎蒿(Artemisia halodendron)是科尔沁沙地植被的关键种之一,它在沙地植被的恢复演替过程中扮演着重要角色,也被广泛应用于人工固沙活动中。为了了解差巴嘎蒿对风沙环境的适应特点,试验研究了其种子萌发对土壤温度、水分和埋藏深度的响应模式。结果表明:差巴嘎蒿种子在4月和5月的土壤温度条件下萌发良好,总萌发率可达到96%,在7月的土壤温度条件下萌发较差,总萌发率低于50%;若以试验前3天的总萌发率为准,则5月的萌发率远大于其它两个月。在0MPa、-0.1MPa、-0.2MPa、-0.4MPa、-0.8MPa和-1.6MPa水势下,差蒿种子的总萌发率分别为89%、83%、80%、46%、17%和0%。在0.5cm、1.0cm和2.0cm埋深下,最终出苗率分别为90%、32%和9%,当埋深大于4cm后,种子无法出苗。种子萌发对温度、水势和埋深的这种响应模式总体上不利于差巴嘎蒿实生苗在科尔沁沙丘生境中的存活。