Responses of intra-annual runoff to forest recovery patterns in subtropical China

Forest recovery plays a critical role in regulating eco-hydrological processes in forested watersheds. However, characteristics of the intra-annual runoff variation associated with different forest recovery patterns remain poorly understood. In this study, three forest change periods were identified, the baseline period (1961–1985), reforestation period (1986 − 2000) and fruit tree planting period (2001–2016). We selected the magnitude of seasonal runoff (wet and dry seasons) and distribution characteristics, i.e., non-uniformity coefficient ( C v ), complete accommodation coefficient ( C r ), concentration ratio ( C n ), concentration period ( C d ), absolute variation ratio (Δ R ) and relative variation ratio ( C max ). The pair-wise approach evaluated the intra-annual runoff variation characteristics between forest change periods. Results indicate that reforestation decreased wet season runoff and increased dry season runoff. In contrast, fruit tree planting increased wet season runoff and had no significant effect on dry season runoff. For intra-annual runoff distribution characteristics, reforestation significantly reduced the C v , C r , C n and C max . Distribution of the intra-annual runoff in the fruit tree planting period was not significantly different from the baseline. We concluded that reforestation reduced the occurance of extreme water conditions in wet and dry seasons and effectively increased the stability of the intra-annual runoff. In contrast, fruit tree planting increased instability and fluctuation of the intra-annual runoff after reforestation. The characteristics of the intra-annual runoff to fruit tree planting was similar to those of the baseline. Therefore, adopting fruit tree planting practices to regulate intra-annual runoff characteristics may not be a practical approach, and impacts of different reforestation practices should be ascertained in our study region. The implications of this study should guide regional land–water management, and this study adds to the understanding of the impacts gained in forest cover on hydrology.