TY - JOUR
T1 - What Do Plants Leave after Summer on the Ground?
T2 - The Effect of Afforested Plants in Arid Environments
AU - Jiménez-Rodríguez, César Dionisio
AU - Coenders-Gerrits, Miriam
AU - Uhlenbrook, Stefan
AU - Wenninger, Jochen
PY - 2019
Y1 - 2019
N2 - The implementation of afforestation programs in arid environments in northern China had modified the natural vegetation patterns. This increases the evaporation flux; however, the influence of these new covers on the soil water conditions is poorly understood. This work aims to describe the effect of Willow bushes (Salix psammophila C. Wang and Chang Y. Yang) and Willow trees (Salix matsudana Koidz.) on the soil water conditions after the summer. Two experimental plots located in the Hailiutu catchment (Shaanxi province, northwest China), and covered with plants of each species, were monitored during Autumn in 2010. The monitoring included the soil moisture, fine root distribution and transpiration fluxes that provided information about water availability, access and use by the plants. Meanwhile, the monitoring of stable water isotopes collected from precipitation, soil water, groundwater and xylem water linked the water paths. The presence of Willow trees andWillow bushes reduce the effect of soil evaporation after summer, increasing the soil moisture respect to bare soil conditions. Also, the presence of soil water with stable water isotope signatures close to groundwater reflect the hydraulic lift process. This is an indication of soil water redistribution carried out by both plant species.
AB - The implementation of afforestation programs in arid environments in northern China had modified the natural vegetation patterns. This increases the evaporation flux; however, the influence of these new covers on the soil water conditions is poorly understood. This work aims to describe the effect of Willow bushes (Salix psammophila C. Wang and Chang Y. Yang) and Willow trees (Salix matsudana Koidz.) on the soil water conditions after the summer. Two experimental plots located in the Hailiutu catchment (Shaanxi province, northwest China), and covered with plants of each species, were monitored during Autumn in 2010. The monitoring included the soil moisture, fine root distribution and transpiration fluxes that provided information about water availability, access and use by the plants. Meanwhile, the monitoring of stable water isotopes collected from precipitation, soil water, groundwater and xylem water linked the water paths. The presence of Willow trees andWillow bushes reduce the effect of soil evaporation after summer, increasing the soil moisture respect to bare soil conditions. Also, the presence of soil water with stable water isotope signatures close to groundwater reflect the hydraulic lift process. This is an indication of soil water redistribution carried out by both plant species.
KW - Fine root system
KW - Hydrogen
KW - Oxygen
KW - Soil water
KW - Stable water isotopes
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85076668926&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/w11122559
DO - 10.3390/w11122559
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85076668926
SN - 2073-4441
VL - 11
SP - 1
EP - 19
JO - Water (Switzerland)
JF - Water (Switzerland)
IS - 12
M1 - 2559
ER -