Abstract:

Comparative experiments on the function of soil water storage and characteristics of runoff and sediment loss under Vernica fordii plantation and Eucommia ulmoides plantation in the hilly red soil region were applied.The results showed:Canopy maximal water holding capacity and litters sopping up water capacity of E.ulmoides plantation were higher,compared with V.fordii plantation,as well as soil water content,and soil water content under E.ulmoides plantation reached 239.7 mm between 0 and 140 cm beneath ground,which is higher than the other by 4.1%.Annual average runoff and sediment loss under V.fordii plantation were 75.1 mm and 19.6 t·km^-2 from 2002 to 2005,which were 2.6 times and 2.9 times of E.ulmoides plantation,respectively.Soil physical properties(such as water holding capacity,density,porosity and infiltration rate)and the complexity of vegetation structure(characterized by canopy,density and vegetation fraction and so on)in E.ulmoides plantation were more prior than that in V.fordii plantation,thus the function of soil water storage capacity and soil and water conservation were better than the later.As retentive tree species on soil and water conservation,E.ulmoides plantation has better benefits than V.fordii plantation.

Key words: soil water storage, Eucommia ulmoides plantation, Vernica fordii plantation, soil erosive modulus, soil and water conservation