Study of the Soil Hydrological Process in the Source Regions of the Yangtze River, China

Abstract:

Following the varieties among soil texture, vegetation and precipitation events, the soil hydrologic process in the Source Regions of the Yangtze River varies obviously. By selecting typical segments in the headwater of Yangtze River and utilizing related data about man-made simulating rainfall and natural rainfall, the study shows that the soil moisture appeared clear change process on the vertical sections in the different physiognomy units, different vegetation types and different degradation degrees. In the dept of 0~10cm and 10~25 cm, the soil moisture change process is most evident. The hydrology process is more complex because of the most violent restriction of all kinds of external factors. In addition, the status of soil underlying surfaces is an important factor that affects soil hydrology process. The study indicates that the change of the soil moisture process in the Source Regions of the Yangtze River is one of the important factors that result in plateau vegetation degeneration, soil desertification and leanness, this change is due to the influence of natural environment and human activities.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 518-523)
• Pages: 4266-4272
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.518-523.4266
• Online since: May 2012
• Authors: Yi Bo Wang, Fu Jun Niu, Jing Wen, Qing Bai Wu, Wei Zhang
• Keywords: Alpine Vegetation Degeneration, Soil Hydrological

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