Impacts of changes in vegetation on saturated hydraulic conductivity of soil in subtropical forests.

ABSTRACT: Saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) is one of the most important soil properties that determines water flow behavior in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the K_s of forest soils is difficult to predict due to multiple interactions, such as anthropological and geomorphic processes. In this study, we examined the impacts of vegetation type on K_s and associated mechanisms. We found that K_s differed with vegetation type and soil depth, and the impact of vegetation type on K_s was dependent on soil depth. K_s did not differ among vegetation types at soil depths of 0-10 and 20-30 cm, but was significantly lower in managed forest types (mixed evergreen broad-leaved and coniferous forests, bamboo forests, and tea gardens) than native

SUBMITTER: Hao M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6557890 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature