Acta Geographica Sinica ›› 2001, Vol. 56 ›› Issue (1): 7-13.doi: 10.11821/xb200101002

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Effect of Apple Base on Regional Water Cycle in Weibei Upland of the Loess Plateau

HUANG Ming bin, YAMG Xin min, LI Yu shan   

  1. Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, CAS, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
  • Received:2000-07-02 Revised:2000-11-08 Online:2001-01-15 Published:2001-01-15
  • Supported by:
    the Major National Natural Science Foundation,No.49890330;the Western Project Supported by Chinese Academy Sciences

Abstract: Weibei Upland in southern part of Loess Plateau is a commercial apple base where the increase of apple planting area has seriously affected the regional water cycle. This paper studies the effects of different land use patterns on hydrological parameters. The main results are as following: (1) The initial and steady rates of infiltration in apple orchard were higher than those in grassland, naked land and farmland. Their initial rates of infiltration were 0 823 cm/min , 0 215 cm/min, 0 534 cm/min and 0 586 cm/min respectively. Their steady rates of infiltration were 0 45 cm/min, 0 038 cm/min, 0 191 cm/min and 0 155 cm/min respectively. (2) No runoff in apple orchard was produced in the 8 events of observed natural rainfalls, but it was produced in winter wheat, corn and alfalfa plots where runoff coefficients reached 2 39%, 1 58% and 0 31% respectively. (3) The transpiration of apple trees was very strong, leading to gradual depletion of the ascendant soil moisture. The average soil water contents of 3~9 meters soil profile in Changwu plots with apple trees of 14 and 32 years old were 11 77% and 11 59% and in Luochuan plots with those of 15 and 28 years old, 11 7% and 11 59% respectively. They are closing to 9 0% of wilting moisture of Changwu soil and 8 6% of wilting moisture of Luochuan soil. The pathway of rainfall percolating to groundwater was shut down by dry soil profile.

Key words: Loess Plateau, Weibei Upland, water cycle

CLC Number: 

  • X143