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Statistical analyses and controls of root-zone soil moisture in a large gully of the Loess Plateau

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Abstract

Soil moisture variability and controls are little known in large gullies of the Loess Plateau which represent complex topography with steep slopes. This study analyzed spatial–temporal variability of soil moisture at the 0–20, 20–40, 40–60, and 60–80 cm depths in a large gully of the Loess Plateau based on root-zone soil moisture measurements for 3 years (2009–2011). The result showed that mean soil moisture, standard deviation (SD), and coefficient of variation, were highly dependent on depth; the highest mean value was observed at the 20–40 cm depth, while the lowest one was at the 0–20 cm depth. The SD increased with mean soil moisture for various depths as soil moisture was relatively wet; however, a transition that SD decreased with mean soil moisture occurred when soil moisture was relatively dry. Positive correlations exist between moisture contents over different depths, and that the relationships of the neighboring layers are relatively high with R 2 from 0.70 to 0.76. Correlation analysis, principle component analysis, and stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that soil particle size distribution and topography (slope and elevation) were the main environmental factors controlling soil moisture variability in the large gully.

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Acknowledgments

This work is jointly supported by the Special Foundation of National Natural Science Foundation of China (31172039), National Science & Technology Supporting Plan (2011BAD29B09), the ‘111’ Project (B12007), the Supporting Project of Young Technology Nova of Shaanxi Province (2010KJXX-04) and the Supporting Plan of Young Elites, with the basic operational cost of research covered by the Northwest A&F University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China

    Yinguang Shi, Pute Wu, Xining Zhao & Jiawen Wang

  2. Institute of Water Saving Agriculture in Arid Regions of China, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China

    Yinguang Shi, Pute Wu, Xining Zhao, Hongchen Li, Jiawen Wang & Baoqing Zhang

  3. National Engineering Research Center for Water Saving Irrigation at Yangling, Yangling, 712100, China

    Yinguang Shi, Pute Wu, Xining Zhao, Hongchen Li, Jiawen Wang & Baoqing Zhang

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  1. Yinguang Shi
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  2. Pute Wu
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  3. Xining Zhao
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  4. Hongchen Li
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  5. Jiawen Wang
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  6. Baoqing Zhang
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Correspondence to Pute Wu.

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Shi, Y., Wu, P., Zhao, X. et al. Statistical analyses and controls of root-zone soil moisture in a large gully of the Loess Plateau. Environ Earth Sci 71, 4801–4809 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2870-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2870-5

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