Objective This study investigates the water use sources of different vegetation types located at various geomorphological locations (loess tableland, gully slope, terrace, and riparian zone) in a small watershed of the loess gullied region, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for vegetation restoration and management on the Loess Plateau. Methods Samples of plant stem water, stratified soil water, and precipitation were collected continuously and periodically. Hydrogen and oxygen stable isotope analysis and the MixSIAR model were used to quantitatively analyze the water use strategies of vegetation for soil water at different depths (0—300 cm). Results (1) Soil water content and isotopic composition in the 0—300 cm soil layer exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity across the watershed. The average soil water content during the growing season at the four geomorphological locations followed the order: riparian zone with Robinia pseudoacacia (17.9%±5.3%)>terrace with R. pseudoacacia (13.1%±4.2%)>terrace with Cerasus pseudocerasus (12.5%±3.4%)>loess tableland with R. pseudoacacia (12.1%±3.6%)>gully slope with R. pseudoacacia (11.5%±2.9%)>gully slope with Platycladus orientalis (11.3%±3.1%). (2) On the loess tableland and gully slopes, R. pseudoacacia and P. orientalis primarily utilized surface soil water (0—60 cm), with average utilization rates of 49.4% and 57.0%, respectively, followed by shallow soil water (60—140 cm). Utilization of water from deeper layers (140—220 cm and 220—300 cm) progressively decreased. On terraces, R. pseudoacacia and C. pseudocerasus relied more heavily on surface soil water, with average utilization rates of 63.1% and 65.3%, respectively. In the riparian zone, R. pseudoacacia utilized deep soil water (220—300 cm) the most, with a utilization rate of 42.3%. (3) During the rainy season (July—September), vegetation across all four geomorphological locations predominantly used surface water (0—60 cm), with a utilization proportion reaching 84.9%. In the dry season (June—October), as precipitation decreased, vegetation shifted its water uptake from 0—60 cm to 60—140 cm or even deeper soil layers. Conclusion Vegetation in the loess gullied region exhibits distinct water-use patterns influenced by geomorphological conditions and rainfall. Vegetation in the loess tableland and gully slopes demonstrates strong dependence on surface and shallow soil water. On terraces, plants primarily rely on shallow soil water during the rainy season but can utilize water from different soil layers more evenly during dry months. In riparian zones where deep soil water is abundant, vegetation shows increased absorption of deep soil water.
ZhangS M, YeL M, ZhouY Z, et al. Water use sources and its influencing factors of Pinus massoniana and Quercus acutissima community in hilly region of Southern China[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2023,34(7):1729-1736.
[3]
ZhaoY, DaiJ, TangY, et al. Illuminating isotopic offset between bulk soil water and xylem water under different soil water conditions[J]. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 2022,325:109150.
[4]
WangJ, FuB, WangL, et al. Water use characteristics of the common tree species in different plantation types in the Loess Plateau of China[J]. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 2020,288:108020.
[5]
DongJ, OchsnerT. Soil texture often exerts a stronger influence than precipitation on mesoscale soil moisture patterns[J]. Water Resources Research, 2018,54(3):2199-2211.
[6]
ShiP, GaiH, LiuW, et al. Links of apple tree water uptake strategies with precipitation and soil water dynamics in the deep loess deposits[J]. Journal of Hydrology, 2023,623:129829.
YangM H, WangT Q, LiY, et al. Spatiotemporal variation of vegetation water use efficiency on the Loess Plateau and its response intensity to different influencing factors[J]. Research of Soil and Water Conservation, 2025,32(3):159-169.
ZhaoD Y, BiH X, HouG R, et al. Soil moisture dynamics of typical plantation in loess region of west Shanxi[J]. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 2021,35(1):181-187.
[11]
GaoX, WuP, ZhaoX, et al. Soil moisture variability along transects over a well-developed gully in the Loess Plateau, China[J]. Catena, 2011,87(3):357-367.
[12]
ChenZ, WangG, PanY, et al. Water use patterns differed notably with season and slope aspect for Caragana korshinskii on the Loess Plateau of China[J]. Catena, 2021,198:105028.
GaoC X, SunC J, ChenW, et al. Typical plant water use strategies in the eastern part of the loess plateau under the background of ecological restoration[J]. Geographical Research, 2024,43(8):1958-1976.
ZhangX M, DiL, ShiZ J, et al. Soil Moisture characteristics of robinia pseudoacacia plantations at different slope positions in Zhonggou minor Basin, Jingchuan County, Gansu Province [J]. Arid Zone Research, 2019,36(5):1300-1308.
TianL H, WangH J, ZhangD S, et al. Water use patterns for a typical afforested shrub among topographic positions in an alpine desert of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau using stable isotopes tracers[J]. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2021,41(15):6215-6226.
[19]
PeiY, HuangL, ShaoM, et al. Patterns and drivers of seasonal water sources for artificial sand-fixing plants in the northeastern Mu Us sandy land, Northwest China[J]. Pedosphere, 2024,34(1):63-77.
[20]
RanM, TianH, YangG, et al. Source water apportionment using stable isotopes for typical riparian plants along the manas river in Xinjiang, Northwest China[J]. Water, 2023,15(5):927.
LVT, ZhaoX N, GaoX D, et al. Soil water use strategy of dominant species in typical natural and planted shrubs in Loess Hilly Region[J]. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology, 2017,41(2):175-185.
ZhuW, ZhouO, SunY M, et al. Dynamic niche partitioning in root water uptake of Populus tomentosa and Robinia pseudoacacia in mixed forest[J]. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology, 2023,47(3):389-403.
WangY Q, ShaoM A, HuW, et al. Spatial variations of soil moisture in the critical zone of the Loess Plateau[J]. Earth and Environment, 2016,44(4):391-397.
ShanY, SuoL Z, WangJ, et al. Distribution characteristics of soil water on slopes in typical landform types on Loess Plateau[J]. Soils, 2024,56(3):593-600.
MaJ Y, LiZ B, MaB, et al. Soil water characteristics under different vegetation recovery modes in Hilly and Gully Region of the Loess Plateau: a case study of the qiaozigou watershed[J]. Science of Soil and Water Conservation, 2017,15(4):8-15.
MaY X, XiaL, FanY, et al. The combined effects of land usage and topography on soil moisture change in a Loess Area[J]. Journal of Irrigation and Drainage, 2022,41(9):77-84.
ChenX L, ChenY N, ChenY P. Relationship among water use of different plants in Heihe River riparian forests [J]. Chinese Journal of Eco-Agriculture, 2014, 22(8): 972-979.
ZhouY D, ChenS P, SongW M, et al. Water use strategies of two desert plants along a precipitation gradient[J]. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology, 2011,35(8):789-800.
WuY M, HanL, LiuK Y, et al. Water source of Robinia pseudoacacia and Platycladus orientalis plantations under different soil moisture conditions in the Loess Plateau of Western Shanxi, China[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2023,34(3):588-596.
[39]
LiuZ, YuX, JiaG. Water uptake by coniferous and broad-leaved forest in a rocky mountainous area of northern China[J]. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 2019,265:381-389.
WeiZ Y, ZhangJ J, LaiZ R, et al. Influence of density and site on fine root characteristics of Pinus tabuliformis plantations in loess area of Western Shanxi Province, northern China[J]. Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2024,46(10):22-32.
[42]
JiJ, KokutseN, GenetM, et al. Effect of spatial variation of tree root characteristics on slope stability: a case study on Black Locust(Robinia pseudoacacia) and Arborvitae(Platycladus orientalis) stands on the Loess Plateau, China[J]. Catena, 2012,92:139-154.
YunL, BiH X, MaW J, et al. Root distribution characteristics of Robinia pseudoacaciain agroforestry systems in The Loess Region of Western Shanxi [J]. Journal of Arid Land Resources and Environment, 2012,26(2):151-155.
LuoL J, GaoX D, ZhaoL H, et al. Response of water use strategies of vegetation community to drought stress in the Loess Hilly Region[J]. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 2023,37(1):280-288.
ChengL P, LiuW Z. Characteristics of stable isotopes in soil water under several typical land use patterns on Loess Tableland[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2012,23(3):651-658.
ZhaoB Z, DiL, WuX Z, et al. Soil moisture between forest and grassland in different landforms in the gullied loess region of Longdong[J]. Journal of Lanzhou University:Natural Sciences,2022,58(2):167-171.