Soil water resources use limit in the loess plateau of China

Soil water is a key factor limiting plant growth in water-limited regions. Without limit of soil water used by plants, soil degradation in the form of soil desiccation is easy to take place in the perennial forestland and grassland with too higher density or productivity. Soil water resources use limit (SWRUL) is the lowest control limit of soil water resources which is used by plants in those regions. It can be defined as soil water storage within the maximum infiltration depth in which all of soil layers belong to dried soil layers. In this paper, after detailed discussion of characteristics of water resources and the relationship between soil water and plant growth in the Loess Plateau, the definition, quantitative method, and practical applications of SWRUL are introduced. Henceforth, we should strengthen the study of SWRUL and have a better understanding of soil water resources. All those are of great importance for designing effective restoration project and sustainable management of soil water resources in water- limited regions in the future.

黄土高原沟壑区苹果基地退果还耕的生态水分效应

近年来,黄土高原沟壑区许多果园已经退化,需要重新退果还耕,但其生态水分效应尚不明了。以陕西长武县王东沟小流域典型果园为对象,选取了盛果期果园、退化果园和退果还耕等3种土地利用方式,分析1986、2002和2009年三期土壤水分数据,研究退化果园还耕的生态水分效应。结果表明:退化果园和退果还耕地的平均含水量和土壤储水量显著高于同期的盛果期果园。果园退化后废弃和退果还耕,土壤水分会得到部分恢复。当土地利用从盛果期果园变化为耕地后,在200～600cm土层,其土壤平均含水量(10.62%)显著高于盛果期果园(8.53%)。生物利用型土壤干层仍然是盛果期果园、退化果园和退果还耕地尚待急需解决的严重的生态问题。