Effect of vegetation on soil water retention and storage in a semi-arid alpine forest catchment

The runoff generated from mountainous regions is recognized as the main water source for inland river basins in arid environments. Thus, the mechanisms by which catchments retain water in soils are to be understood. The water storage capacity of soil depends on its depth and capacity to retain water under gravita- tional drainage and evapotranspiration. The latter can be studied through soil water retention curve （SWRC）, which is closely related to soil properties such as texture, bulk density, porosity, soil organic carbon conteMt, and so on. The present study represented SWRCs using HYDRUS-1D. In the present study, we measured pl^ysical and hydraulic properties of soil samples collected from Sabina przewalskii forest （south-facing slope with highest solar radiation）, shrubs （west-facing slope with medium radiation）, and Picea crassifolia forest （north-facing slope with lowest radiation）, and analyzed the differences in soil water storage capacity of these soil samples. Soil water content of those three vegetation covers were also measured to validate the soil water storage capacity and to analyze the relationship between soil organic matter content and soil water content. Statistical analysis showed that different vegetation covers could lead to different soil bulk densities and differences in soil water retention on the three slope aspects. Sand content, porosity, and organic carbon content of the P. crassifolia forest were rela- tively greater compared with those of the S. przewalskii forest and shrubs. However, silt content and soil bulk density were relatively smaller than those in the S. przewalskii forest and shrubs. In addition, there was a sig- nificant linear positive relationship between averaged soil water content and soil organic matter content （P〈0.0001）. However, this relationship is not significant in the P. crassifolia forest. As depicted in the SWRCs, the water storage capacity of the soil was 39.14% and 37.38% higher in the P. crassifolia forest than in the S. przewalskii forest and shrubs, respectively, at a similar soil depth.

Sediment-Loading Processes in a Forested Catchment: Modeling and Observations

In order to investigate sediment-loading processes in a catchment, the daily time series of river discharge and sediment load were applied to a semi-distributed model, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The time series of discharge and sediment load were obtained by monitoring the river stage and water turbidity of the Oikamanai River, Hokkaido, Japan, in the rainfall season (April-November) of 2011-2014. The catchment is forested (ca 90% area) but underlain by the Neogene sedimentary rocks with currently active faults and forest soils with tephra layers, which tend to frequently produce slope failure such as landslide and bank collapse by rainfall or snowmelt. The water turbidity, T, in ppm was converted into suspended sediment concentration, SSC, in g/L by applying the linear relationship between T and SSC. The acquisition of the time series of discharge, Q (m3/s) and sediment load, L (=Q·SSC in g/s) of the river allowed us to distinguish the fluvial sediment transport, accompanied by slope failure in the upstream, from that under no slope failure. The SWAT was used to simulate soil erosion and identify the region prone to the soil erosion in the Oikamanai River basin. The model’s results showed a satisfactory agreement between daily observed and simulated sediment load as indicated by the high Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency. This evidences that the upper mountainous region of the catchment provides a main sediment source, accompanied by slope failure.

Comparison of water quality in two catchments with different forest types in the headwater region of the Hun River, Northeast China

In the headwater catchments of the Hun River,Northeast China, secondary forests(SF) have been replaced by plantations since the 1960 s. Concern has been growing over this loss and the decline in water quality caused by the plantations. To test the effects of plantations on water quality, we selected two separate catchments covered by SF and Pinus koraiensis plantations(KP) to monitor physical and chemical properties of various hydrological variables including throughfall, stemflow,through-litterfall and runoff(flowing out of outlets of the catchments). The physical properties of water declined after water flowed through the two catchments as compared with rainwater. The pH of runoff in both catchments also dramatically decreased. The concentrations of Cl^-, NO_3^- and NH_4^+ in the runoff from the two catchments were similar(concentrations of Cl-and NH_4^+ in both catchments were similar to those in rainwater). Total P concentration in runoff of the SF catchment was higher than that of the KP catchment(P concentrations in both catchments were also higher than in rainwater) because P concentrations in litter and soil of the SF catchment were higher than those in the KP catchment. In summary, the rainwater became acidic in both catchments, but the responses of most water quality variables were similar in the two catchments, suggesting that appropriate ratios of KP in SF are feasible for secondary forest recovery and for preserving water quality(KP did not cause a decline in quality) in the headstream regions in Northeast of China.

Hydrological functioning of forested catchments,Central Himalayan Region,India

Background:Central Himalayan forested catchments provide fresh water supply and innumerable ecosystem services to millions of people.Hence,the understanding of linkages between forests and water is very crucial for availability and quality of water at catchment scale.Therefore,the present study aims to understand the hydrological response of two forested catchments(namely,Arnigad and Bansigad)in the Central Himalayan Region.Methods:Threeyears’data(March,2008 to February,2011)were collected from meteorological and hydrological stations in Arnigad and Bansigad catchments.The present paper describes the mean hydrological response of these forested catchments investigated through detailed field investigation.Results:The annual hyetograph analysis revealed that the rainfall at both the catchments was highly seasonal,and wetperiod(June–September)plays a key role in catchment functioning.Exceedance of rainfall threshold of^200 mm(~10%of annual rainfall)significantly increased streamflow generation in both catchments.In Arnigad,the stream was perennial with a mean baseflow of^83mm per month(~6%of annual baseflow)whereas,Bansigad had greater seasonality due to lack of streamflow during the prewetperiod(March–May).Separation of hydrographs in Arnigad and Bansigad catchments i.e.stormflow(6%and 31%,respectively)and baseflow(50%and 32%,respectively)helped to understand the probability of flooding during wetperiod and drought during dryperiod.The forest ecosystem in Arnigad displayed healthier hydrological functioning in terms of reduced stormflow(82%),and enhanced baseflow(52%),soil moisture(13%),steady infiltration rate(22%)and lag time(~15 min)relative to Bansigad.These enhanced values indicated soil capability to store water in the forested catchment(Arnigad)and helped to understand the volume of water(discharge)that was available during dryperiod.The lower denudation rate at Arnigad by 41%resulted in decreased suspended sediment(18%)and bed load(75%)compared to Bansigad.Further,the enhanced dissolved solids in the Arnigad stream resulted from the higher organic matter generated in the forest floor.Conclusion:This study shows that rainfall during the wetperiod was the main driver of hydrological functioning,whereas,forests provided substantial services by regulating water balance,soil moisture and sediment budget through different mechanisms of forest components at catchmentscale in the Central Himalayan Region.

Water yield and biomass production for on a eucalypt-dominated Mediterranean catchment under different climate scenarios

Worldwide,forests are vital in the regulation of the water cycle regulation and in water balance allocation.Knowledge of ecohydrological responses of production forests is essential to support management strategies,especially where water is already scarce.Shifting climatological patterns are expected to impact thermopluviometric regimes,water cycle components,hydrological responses,and plant physiology,evapotranspiration rates,crop productivity and land management operations.This work(1)assessed the impacts of different predicted climate conditions on water yield;(2)inferred the impacts of climate change on biomass production on eucalypt-to-eucalypt succes sion.To this end,the widely accepted Soil and Water Assessment Tool(SWAT)was run with the RCA,HIRHAM5 and RACMO climate models for two emission scenarios(RCP 4.5 and8.5).Three 12-year periods were considered to simulate tree growth under coppice regime.The results revealed an overall reduction in streamflow and water yield in the catchment in line with the projected reduction in total annual precipitation.Moreover,HIRHAM5 and RACMO models forecast a slight shift in seasonal streamflow of up to 2 months(for2024-2048)in line with the projected increase in precipitation from May to September.For biomass production,the extreme climate model(RCA)and severe emis sion scenario(RCP 8.5)predicted a decrease up to 46%.However,in the less extreme and more-correlated(with actual catchment climate conditions)climate models(RACMO and HIRHAM5)and in the less extreme emission scenario(RCP 4.5),biomass production increased(up to 20%),and the growth cycle was slightly reduced.SWAT was proven to be a valuable tool to assess climate change impacts on a eucalypt-dominated catchment and is a suitable decision-support tool for forest managers.

Evaluation of Surface Water Quality in Forest Catchment Based on Euclidean Distance Model with Varying Weights

The Euclidean distance model with varying weights was applied to evaluate the surface water quality based on the monitoring data derived from April 2010 to February 2011 in secondary forest catchment,eucalypt plantation catchment and rubber plantation catchment in Limu Mountain,Hainan Island.The results were compared with that of grey association analysis method,grey clustering model and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method.The results indicated that the assessment results of surface water quality in the three types of forest catchments based on Euclidean distance model with varying weights and grey clustering model were GradeⅠ,the assessment results of surface water quality in secondary forest catchment based on grey association analysis method and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method were also GradeⅠ,but besides that the assessment results of surface water quality in eucalypt plantation catchment in June 2010 and rubber plantation catchment in August 2010 based on the last two methods were GradeⅡ,those in the remain seven months were GradeⅠ,showing that the plantation in this area did not cause significantly negative effect on surface water.

Evaluation of forest disturbance in south-west Zabaikalia (East Siberia)

The forest estate in south-west Zabaikalia, a territory included in the Lake Baikal catchment area, has been investigated. For this purpose we have used both data of our own studies and monitoring data of environmental protection bodies. It shows that in our study area, fires, fellings, entomo-parasites and air pollution are the major negative factors affecting the state of the forest. In the period from 2003 to 2008 fires were registered in the area of over 500 thousand ha, pest foci in the forests covering an area of over 330 thousand ha, where almost 5 million m3wood was cut in an area of about 43 thousand ha. The total area of forests in our study affected by air pollution amounts to about 700 thousand ha. According to the results, forest pollution in the territory is concentrated in the vicinity of large-scale industrial complexes, for distances up to about 40 km. The total area of forests weakened by air pollution amounts to about 2 million ha.

大岗山人工针阔混交林与常绿阔叶林水文动态变化研究

采用定位观测方法与小集水区试验技术方法 ,利用 1 6月份观测数据 ,从土壤水分、坡面径流、集水区径流量等方面对大岗山地区人工针阔混交林、天然常绿阔叶林典型森林集水区的森林水文月动态变化规律进行了研究。结果表明 :(1)人工针阔混交林森林土壤水分最大值 (5 1 8mm)出现在 5月份 ,最小值 (33 2mm)出现在 3月份 ,且垂直变化幅度不大。 (2 )坡面径流量月变化较大 ,与一次性降水有密切关系 ,可用指数式y =0 .12 6 6e0 .0 50 2x表示。 (3)与人工针阔混交林相比 。

森林流域坡地壤中流模型与模拟研究

本文以水量平衡原理、动力学假设以及饱和导水率与有效孔隙度的对数递减模型为基础，提出了一个形式简单的森林流域坡地壤中流模型（以下称为改进模型）。并以二道白河森林流域内阔叶红松林土壤为背景制作模拟坡面，在模拟坡面上用两场不同强度的降雨对该模型进行了验证；同时，本文也分别用Ｓｌｏａｎ所提出的贮水泄流模型（以下称Ｓｌｏａｎ模型）与Ｒｏｂｉｎｓｏｎ所修改后的贮水泄流模型（以下称Ｒｏｂｉｎｓｏｎ模型）对这两场降雨进行了预测，并将这３个模型预测的结果与实测结果进行了比较。结果表明，改进模型精度比其它两个模型高。

森林对径流影响研究的回顾与展望

论文简要回顾了森林水文学的研究历史，并重点介绍了在森林水文学研究中居于重要地位的森林集水区研究的起源与发展， 分析了这一研究方法的特点， 并对主要研究结果进行了比较。大多数研究结果显示， 去除森林可以使径流量增加， 但森林与水的关系极其复杂， 森林对径流量的影响因地域、 森林类型以及森林管理方式等因素的不同而存在差异； 在评价森林对流域径流量的影响时应全面考虑， 分析各地区之间的差别， 一个地区所得的结果不能作为森林生态系统水文功能的普遍规律而在其它条件不同的地区加以应用。今后应加强合作研究，特别是利用网络研究对比不同集水区之间的结果来探讨森林对径流的影响，同时重视新技术和新方法的应用。

鼎湖山顶级森林生态系统水文要素时空规律

运用连续 7a( 1 993～ 1 999)的水文观测资料 ,对南亚热带顶级生态系统鼎湖山季风常绿阔叶林集水区水文要素时空规律进行分析 ,得到如下一些主要结论 :( 1 )鼎湖山多年平均降水量为 1 91 0 mm,湿季降水量占年降水量 80 % ,干季仅占 2 0 %。 6月份的降水量最大 ,1月份最小。 ( 2 )季风常绿阔叶林冠层截留率为31 .8% ,湿季的截留量占全年截留量的 66.7% ,截留量最大值和最小值所在的月份分别为 7和 1月份。各月的截留率差异很大 ,截留量大的月份 ,截留率较低 ;截留量小的月份 ,截留率较高。 ( 3)季风常绿阔叶林集水区多年平均总径流量 95 3.0 mm,总径流系数 49.9% ,其中地表径流量为 2 5 2 .3mm,地表径流系数1 3.2 % ;地表径流与降水量之间存在二次抛物线型回归关系 ,与降水强度的关系不大 ,这说明季风常绿阔叶林的产流形式是是蓄满产流。 ( 4 )季风常绿阔叶林多年平均蒸散 948.2 mm,占同期降水量的 49.7% ;蒸散力 1 0 31 .4mm,年蒸散系数为 0 .92 ,蒸散月变化规律较降水量的月变化规律有所滞后。( 5 )系统贮水量的月变化很大 ,2～ 8月份 ,系统处于蓄水阶段 ;9月份至翌年 1月份 ,系统处于失水阶段。蓄水和失水的最大值分别出现在湿季和干季的第一个月 ,即 4月份和 1 0月份。 ( 6)

森林流域土壤饱和渗透系数与有效孔隙度模型的研究

以长白山自然保护区内未受扰动的两种典型原始森林土壤为对象，通过野外选取原状土样，在实验室内测定其饱和渗透系数和有效孔隙度，利用回归分析法分别建立了森林土壤内饱和渗透系数和有效孔隙度随深度变化的数学模型，即Ｋｓ（ｚ）＝Ｋ０－ｆ１ｌｎａ１ｚ和ω（ｚ）＝ω０－ｆ２ｌｎａ２ｚ．将所得出的对数模型与Ｂｅｖｅｎ所提出的指数模型进行比较表明，在森林流域内对数模型不仅适用范围比指数模型广，而且精度明显高于指数模型，它更接近于野外实际情况．

平通河流域的森林水文效应

运用“森林流域水文模型”（ＦＣＨＭ），评价与预测了平通河流域的森林水文效应。结果表明，平通河流域森林枝叶截蓄量为２４６．８ｍｍ，林地蒸散发量为５１５．３ｍｍ，森林可使汛期５７％的地表径流与壤中流转入地下径流，补给枯季径流。

亚热带与温带森林小流域生态系统汞的生物地球化学循环及其同位素分馏

汞是通过大气进行长距离传输的全球污染物,引起国际社会和学术界高度关注.陆地森林生态系统是全球物质循环最为活跃的地方,但其对全球汞的生物地球化学循环影响的认识还不清楚.同时,森林生态系统汞的生物地球化学循环过程可能对全球大气汞同位素组成产生重要的影响,但目前这两方面的研究还非常缺乏,制约了对全球尺度汞的生物地球化学循环深化规律的把握.本课题组拟在我国温带和亚热带选择3个森林小流域,首先系统开展森林小流域汞的质量平衡研究工作,深入刻画森林流域汞的生物地球化学演化规律,在此基础上开展流域汞的生物地球化学循环过程中汞同位素的分馏特征研究,最终建立流域尺度森林系统汞及其同位素的生物地球化学模型.该项目将极大推进对森林流域尺度汞的生物地球化学循环的认识,探讨森林生态系统与大气汞交换过程对全球尺度汞生物地球化学循环和对大气汞同位素组成的影响,为最终建立基于汞同位素的全球汞生物地球化学循环模型提供基础数据.

森林集水区水文效应的研究

对油松山杨林集水区和经过抚育间伐后的集水区进行观测分析的结果表明：水文过程线主要取决于降雨过程，产流特点是径流系数小、洪水含沙量低。一方面两集水区的水文特征值均较小，充分体现了森林良好的水源涵养作用；另一方面，两集水区在洪水起伏量、水文响应、单位面积洪量方面差异不大，表明适量间伐对集水区水文状况的影响很小。同时，本文针对森林集水区沟道洪水径流量与降雨量、降雨强度、前期降雨量、土壤水分条件关系密切的特点，建立了产流经验模型。

西双版纳热带森林集水区测流堰建设的研究

讨论了西双版纳地区热带雨林、人工橡胶林和无林农耕地集水区测流堰的选择与设计 ,并扼要介绍了集水区测流堰建设中应该注意的问题。用集水区测径流量是一种生态—水文试验的实用方法 ,它使生态系统与集水区界线一致 ,能相对准确测定集水区生态系统的水分输入和输出 。

森林流域生态水文过程动力学机制与模拟研究进展

水文过程是联系气候变化和森林生态系统时空变化的关键因素 .未来的气候变化和人类大尺度活动将影响森林流域生态系统与水文过程的变化 ,森林流域生态与水文过程耦合、生态系统水文过程动力学机制研究在认识和调控生态资源及其合理利用、区域生态恢复 ,以及社会经济可持续方面均具有重要意义 .森林流域生态系统中的水文过程可分为降雨截留、蒸散和产汇流过程 .森林流域生态与水文耦合过程边界条件的确定 ,土壤表面特定水文过程的参数化 ,降雨、土壤水分运动和植被的动态耦合作用 ,分布式模型的应用以及森林生态水文过程动力学机制与调控等将是今后生态水文动力学过程研究的重点 .

基于变权欧式距离模型的森林流域地表水水质评价

为满足经济建设对木材及木质产品日益增长的需求,我国人工林的种植面积快速增加,其中,华南地区的桉树（Eucalyptus L’Hérit.）人工林的发展速度极快,至2008年我国桉树林面积为260万hm2[1]。桉树人工林在我国国民经济中发挥了很大的经济、社会和生态效益[2-4];然而,部分桉树种植区的居民甚至少数政府部门人员认为桉树污染水体,