Ecohydrological functions of litter in three main plant communities on Songnen grassland
Shi, S.; Guo, J-Xun.
Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao 18(8): 1722-1726
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 1001-9332 PMID: 17974235 Document Number: 610421
With the litter layers of Leymus chinensis, Chloria virgata and Pucciaellia tenuiflora communities on Songnen grassland as test objects, this paper studied their litter storage, water holding capacity, rainfall interception, and restraining effect on soil evaporation. The results showed that in the litter layers of L. chinensis, C. virgata and P. tenuiflora communities, the litter storage was -2 -2 4. 7, 3. 0 and 2. 6 t center dot hm(-2), maximum water holding capacity was 9. 6, 7. 4 and 5. 0 t center dot hm(-2), maximum water holding rate was 208. 4%, 262. 8% and 202. 2%, rainfall interception was 6. 57, 2 5. 79 and 5. 26 t center dot hm(-2), and interception rate was 6. 22%, 5. 52% and 5. 23%, respectively. The interception capacity was increased, while the interception rate was decreased with increasing rainfall. Under the cover of litter with a thickness of 0. 5-2 cm, soil evaporation was decreased by 7. 95%-56. 79%, compared with that without litter cover. The restraining effect on soil evaporation increased with increasing litter thickness and soil water content.