JOURNAL OF NANJING FORESTRY UNIVERSITY ›› 2025, Vol. 49 ›› Issue (2): 143-152.doi: 10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202310013

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Research on characteristics of soil infiltration at different altitude gradients in Liziping Nature Reserve

LU Qiwei1(), TUO Yunfei1,*(), ZHENG Yang2, LUO Wei2, DAI Qinlong2, HE Xiahong1   

  1. 1. College of Soil and Water Conservation, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
    2. Sichuan Liziping National Nature Reserve Administration, Open Laboratory of Shimian Research Center of Giant Panda Small Population Conservation and Rejuvenation, Liziping Giant Panda’s Ecology and Conservation Observation and Research Station of Sichuan Province, Shimian 625499, China
  • Received:2023-10-11 Accepted:2024-04-12 Online:2025-03-30 Published:2025-03-28
  • Contact: TUO Yunfei E-mail:xnlyluqiwei@163.com;tyunfei@163.com

Abstract:

【Objective】The purpose of this study was to explore how soil infiltration responds to different elevation gradients in Liziping National Nature Reserve, Sichuan. 【Method】Soil samples were collected from four elevation gradients (1 900, 2 100, 2 300, and 2 500 m) within the nature reserve. Soil infiltration characteristics at these gradients were measured using the ring knife method. Key factors affecting soil infiltration were identified through path and correlation analyses. Additionally, the suitability of infiltration models, including Kostiakov, Philip and Horton, was evaluated by fitting and analyzing the data. 【Result】Soil infiltration rates showed a highly significantly negative correlation with elevation (P < 0.01). Soil microbial biomass had a significant positive correlation with infiltration rates (P < 0.05), promoting water infiltration. In the first 20 min, soil infiltration rates decreased by about 50% at elevations of 1 900 and 2 100 m, and by 72% to 85% at elevations of 2 300 and 2 500 m. The rate of infiltration decreased at 2 300 and 2 500 m was significantly faster that than at 1 900 and 2 100 m, primarily due to differences in soil organic matter, aggregate grain structure, and microbial biomass. The model fitting showed that the R2 values were 0.896-0.959 for the Kostiakov model, 0.874-0.965 for the Philip model, and 0.945-0.965 for the Horton model. Based on the R2 values and the alignment between fitted and measured values, the Kostiakov model was found to be the most suitable for the study area. 【Conclusion】Elevation gradients significantly affect soil infiltration characteristics, primarily influenced by soil organic matter, aggregate grain structure, and microbial biomass.

Key words: elevation gradient, soil physical and chemical property, infiltration characteristic, model fitting, Liziping Nature Reserve, microbial biomass

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