Factors controlling deep-profile soil organic carbon and water storage following Robinia pseudoacacia afforestation of the Loess Plateau in China

Background:Afforestation is a common and effective approach used for the restoration of degraded ecosystems worldwide.In China,Robinia pseudoacacia(RP)is among the main non-native tree species and has been widely planted in revegetation of the Loess Plateau.However,owing to uncertainties regarding soil water consumption and carbon sequestration,it is necessary to assess the suitability and sustainability of R.pseudoacacia in restoration.In this study,we aimed to analyse the dynamic effects of R.pseudoacacia forest on soil carbon storage(SCS)and soil water storage(SWS).Specifically,we investigated the association between soil water content(SWC)and soil organic carbon(SOC)and underlying factors in the 0-500-cm profile of a 10-to 50-year-old chronosequence.Results:The results obtained indicated that the dynamics of SWS and SCS on this time scale could be divided into an initial reduction phase(the initial 20 years after afforestation)and subsequent recovery(20-50 years after afforestation).Compared with in the abandoned land(AL),the net accumulation of SCS in R.pseudoacacia forest was 2.51 Mg·ha^(-1)at 50 years after afforestation,whereas there was a 398.76-mm deficit in SWS.Additionally,the natural succession of R.pseudoacacia forest has contributed to the continuous change in stand structure(e.g.vegetation cover(VC),understory vegetation coverage(UVC),and litter biomass(LB)).Conclusions:These findings indicate that vegetation restoration increases carbon sequestration while causing soil water deficit.Furthermore,stand density(SD)was established to make a predominant contribution to the dynamics of SWS and SCS via its effects in altering vegetation,soil,and litter characteristics.Therefore,high-density plantation forests in the Loess Plateau area should be appropriately thinned to reduce the density of forest stands on the basis of soil erosion control and wind and sand fixation,so as to increase carbon sink with lower water consumption,thus realizing the synergistic development of soil carbon sequestration and water connotation.

Zokor activity promotes soil water infiltration in the Mu Us sandy land of northern Shaanxi,China

Zokors are common subterranean rodents that inhabit agricultural fields, shrublands, and grasslands in the arid and semi-arid regions of China. Zokor burrowing activities can alter soil structure and affect soil hydrological processes;however, there are few studies regarding their effects on soil preferential flow in the Mu Us sandy land. An evaluation of the effects of zokor disturbance on their habitat and soil water is important for understanding the ecological role of zokors in the soil ecosystem of the Mu Us sandy land. A field dye-tracing experiment was conducted in the Gechougou watershed on the southeastern edge of the Mu Us sandy land to investigate the effect of zokor burrowing activity on soil preferential flow characteristics. Our results showed that the density of zokor tunnels was the highest(0.40–0.46 m m^(-2)) under 30%–50% vegetation coverage and that the tunnels were approximately 3 cm from the surface.Both stained area ratio and stained path number were higher at sites with zokors than without zokors. Stained path widths were 10–80 and > 80 mm at zokor-harboring sites exhibiting homogeneous flow and heterogeneous finger flow, respectively. In the absence of zokors, homogeneous flow and highly interacted macropore flow were predominant. Soil water content below the zokor tunnels was higher than that above the tunnels. Moderate disturbance of soil structure by zokor activity facilitated soil water infiltration. These results enabled a better understanding of the effect of soil fauna on soil structure and hydrological processes and provided recommendations for ecological construction and renovation in arid and semi-arid regions.