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Soil Water Content and Temperature Dynamics under Grassland Degradation: A Multi-Depth Continuous Measurement from the Agricultural Pastoral Ecotone in Northwest China

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  • Wenjing Yang

    (College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Yibo Wang

    (College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
    State Key Laboratory of Frozen Soil Engineering, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Chansheng He

    (College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
    Department of Geography, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA)

  • Xingyan Tan

    (College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Zhibo Han

    (College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

Abstract

The agricultural pastoral ecotone (APE) in Northwest China is an ecological transition zone in the arid area with a very fragile ecosystem. In recent years, the ecosystem has deteriorated sharply, and increasing desertification has made the regional ecosystem more vulnerable and sensitive. In this study, we analyzed (using classical statistical methods) spatial and temporal variations in soil water content (SWC) from 14 September 2016 to 22 April 2019 for high and low vegetation in two grassland sites in Yanchi County, Ningxia. The results showed that the largest average seasonal SWC occurred in autumn. The SWC of the first three layers (0 ÷ 15 cm) of the soil profile responded strongly to precipitation, whereas the SWC in deeper soil (30 ÷ 50 cm) could only be recharged markedly after continuous precipitation. Additionally, the growing process of plants proved to be a cause of variability in soil moisture profiles. Vegetation degradation sped up the course of desertification and decreased soil organic carbon content. These changes left the soil increasingly desiccated and enhanced soil variability. Meanwhile, vegetation degradation also prompted changes in soil temperature and shortened the soil’s frozen time in winter. With the acceleration of global warming, if the process of vegetation degeneration continues and soil temperatures keep rising, the ecosystem is likely to undergo irreversible degradation.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenjing Yang & Yibo Wang & Chansheng He & Xingyan Tan & Zhibo Han, 2019. "Soil Water Content and Temperature Dynamics under Grassland Degradation: A Multi-Depth Continuous Measurement from the Agricultural Pastoral Ecotone in Northwest China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-14, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:15:p:4188-:d:254330
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Abou Ali, Asma & Bouchaou, Lhoussaine & Er-Raki, Salah & Hssaissoune, Mohammed & Brouziyne, Youssef & Ezzahar, Jamal & Khabba, Saïd & Chakir, Adnane & Labbaci, Adnane & Chehbouni, Abdelghani, 2023. "Assessment of crop evapotranspiration and deep percolation in a commercial irrigated citrus orchard under semi-arid climate: Combined Eddy-Covariance measurement and soil water balance-based approach," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).
    2. Haining Liu & Hong Wang & Xiaobing Li & Tengfei Qu & Yao Zhang & Yuting Lu & Yalei Yang & Jiahao Liu & Xili Zhao & Jingru Su & Dingsheng Luo, 2023. "Identification of Constructive Species and Degraded Plant Species in the Temperate Typical Grassland of Inner Mongolia Based on Hyperspectral Data," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-20, February.

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