Effects of Biocrusts on Water Evapotranspiration of Shrub-Grass Ecosystem in Water-Wind Erosion Crisscross Region of Loess Plateau

• Published in: Shui tu bao chi xue bao Vol. 38; no. 5; pp. 184 - 191
• Main Authors: ZHANG Xudong, YANG Guang, ZHAO Yunge, TAN Taiyu, LIU Ning, YU Shunyao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Chinese
• Published: Editorial Department of Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 01.10.2024
• Subjects: biocrusts; evapotranspiration; shrub-grass ecosystem; soil moisture; water distribution
• ISSN: 1009-2242
• DOI: 10.13870/j.cnki.stbcxb.2024.05.003

[Objective] To determine the effect of biological soil crusts (biocrusts) on water evapotranspiration of the shrub-grass ecosystem. [Methods] The effect of biocrusts on water evapotranspiration of the shrub-grass ecosystem in water-wind erosion crisscross region of Loess Plateau was investigated by using original soil columns of field condition. In the study, the bare soil column was used as control, and three treatments were set up. The three treatments were shrub-grass (single plant shrub-20% grass), shrub-grass-30% biocrusts and shrub-grass-50% biocrusts. [Results] The results showed that after 12 hours of simulated 30 mm precipitation infiltration, water content of 0—20 cm soil layer in the shrub-grass-biotic crust treatment was 15.4% higher than that in the bare soil treatment and 12.8% higher than that in the shrub-grass treatment. Compared with bare soil, soil water evapotranspiration of shrub-grass and shrub-grass with two level of biocrusts’ coverage significantly increased. Among them, soil water ev