Differentiation characteristics of soil water under different landscape types in a desert-oasis region in the middle reaches of Heihe river basin, China

The tillage of oasis farmlands and construction of artificial protection forests in native grasslands around the oases would significantly affect differentiation characteristics of soil water. In this study, the establishment of belt transect with 13 different landscape types in the middle reaches of Heihe River basin was determined to analyze differentiation characteristics of soil water. Our results showed that firstly vertical variability of soil water under different landscape types was significant. Secondly, horizontal variability of soil water under different landscape types showed a significant difference. Thirdly, differentiation characteristics of soil water under different landscape types were mainly caused by interaction of multiple factors such as vegetation type, soil properties and human management etc, and spatial variability of soil water can be enhanced by the tillage of oasis farmlands and construction of artificial protection forests. Our results suggest that it has very important value for enhancing the soil water effect of irrigated vegetation in this region to fully conform the water consumption of plants and the water holding capacity of soil, to especially strengthen the management of water-saving irrigation of farm crops and artificial plantations.