Soil moisture characteristics of typical standing artificial forests in loess area of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau

To investigate the characteristics of soil moisture and water consumption of typical standing artificial forests in the loess area of the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Picea crassifolia and Juniperus przewalskii Kom. lands were examined in this study. A comprehensive analysis of their soil water-holding characteristics, soil permeability characteristics, soil moisture dynamics, and soil water consumption characteristics was performed. The results showed that: 1) under the same soil water suction conditions, the water holding capacity of the P. crassifolia land was better than that of the J. przewalskii Kom. land, and the water holding capacity of the desert grassland was worse than that of the forest land; 2) the soil permeability of the P. crassifolia land was generally better than that of the J. przewalskii Kom. land, and the soil permeability of the desert grassland was the worst. The soil permeability of the upper position was less than that of the lower position on the same slope; 3) the soil moisture condition of the P. crassifolia land was better than that of the J. przewalskii Kom. land, and the soil moisture condition of the desert grassland was better than that of the forest land. The soil water content of the forest on the west-facing slopes gradually increased with a decrease in slope height; 4) during the growing season, the average water consumption of the P. crassifolia land was more than that of the J. przewalskii Kom. land, whereas the water consumption of the desert grassland was much lower than that of the woodland. In summary, the soil moisture characteristics of the P. crassifolia land were better than those of the J. przewalskii Kom. land, and the soil moisture statuses for both of them were good. The phenomena of excessive soil water consumption and dry layer of soil were not observed. The configuration of P. crassifolia and J. przewalskii Kom. in the study area is reasonable and they can be used as tree species for local water conservation.