Microclimate Effect of Artificial Caragana microphylla Communities in Horqin Sandy Land

Caragana microphylla is one of the key species for vegetation restoration in Horqin Sandy Land. Adopting field investigation and outdoor experiments, the microclimate effect of artificial C. microphylla communities with different restoration years were studied by observing wind velocity, air temperature, relative humidity and soil temperature. The results show that: (1) Caragana microphylla community has an obvious wind-breaking effect near ground surface. Compared with shifting dunes, the wind velocity in the 6-year-old and 11-year-old C. microphylla shrubs at the height of 30 cm separately decreases by 71.9% and 76.0%. (2) Mean daily temperature in the 6-year-old and 11-year-old C. microphylla communities is 3.7 ℃ and 4.9 ℃ lower than in shifting dunes, respectively. (3) The relative humidity of air in the Caragana microphylla shrubs is higher than in shifting dunes. (4) Soil temperature in C. microphylla plantation is lower than in shifting dunes. These results are significant in further exploring material and energy exchange near surface layer of artificial vegetation in the extremely arid condition.