Hydrological features of man-made forest litters in Hilly-gully Loess Region of Western Shanxi

【Objective】The study focused on hydrological features of litters in three types of man-made forests,Ulmus pumila,Platycladus orientalis and Pinus tabulaeformis,in Hilly-gully Loess Region of Western Shanxi.【Method】Three major species of the river basin in Yukou Station,Fangshan County, Shanxi Province were selected and three litters plots(30cm×30cm)were set in each plot.Total volume, water absorption rate,water capacity,and water loss rate of collected litter samples were measured through soaking and drying experiments.【Result】Total litter storages of the three plantations were in an order of Platycladus orientalis(40.44t/hm2)Pinus tabulaeformis(21.33t/hm2)Ulmus pumila(6.82t/hm2). Water absorption rates were Ulmus pumilaPinus tabulaeformisPlatycladus orientalis.Water capacities were Ulmus pumila(32.24t/hm2)Platycladus orientalis(30.72t/hm2)Pinus tabulaeformis(28.83t/hm2)and water loss rates were Platycladus orientalisPinus tabulaeformisUlmus pumila. 【Conclusion】The litters of Ulmus pumila were better in respective to water storage and capacity of water utilization than Platycladus orientalis and Pinus tabulaeformis.The litters had good ecological effects toincrease soil moisture and water conservation as well as prevent water loss and soil erosion.