EFFECT OF REFORESTATION USING TECTONA-GRANDIS ON INFILTRATION AND SOIL-WATER RETENTION
EFFECT OF REFORESTATION USING TECTONA-GRANDIS ON INFILTRATION AND SOIL-WATER RETENTION
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DOI:
10.1016/0378-1127(95)03573-s
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发表时间:
1995-09-01
影响因子:
3.7
通讯作者:
MAPA, RB
中科院分区:
文献类型:
--
作者:
MAPA, RB
Many studies have reported changes in the soil physical properties of tropical soils after deforestation, whereas studies on reforestation are scarce. This paper reports on the effects of reforestation using Tectona grandis on infiltration and soil water retention of a Rhodudult in Sri Lanka. Adjacent land which has been reforested, cultivated and neglected as grassland for more than 12 years was studied. The results showed that the reforested land has the highest steady infiltration rate. This is due to better soil structure and more macro-pores created by root activity and high organic matter content. The soil water retention at any given suction was highest in the reforested soil at both depths studied. The increase in water retention at low suctions is attributed to soil structure development and that at higher suctions to the hydrophilic nature of organic matter. The cultivated and grassland soils did not show any significant difference in infiltration or soil water retention. The bulk density was lowest in reforested soils, indicating high porosities. This illustrates that reforested areas can accept and store more water than cultivated and grassland areas. Even though the plant available water did not show any significant increase with reforestation, increased infiltration and water retention will decrease surface run off and conserve soil and water, restoring the hydrological balance, a major objective of reforestation in these areas.