Variability in the Hydrological Processes of Six Typical Woodlands Based on Stable Isotopes in Subtropical Regions in Central China

Abstract

Changes in woodland characteristics induced by plants and soil greatly affect soil hydrological processes. Stable isotope technology and indoor soil moisture characteristic experiments were conducted at three rainfall levels (3.6, 23.5, and 49.8 mm) to investigate the hydrological processes under six woodlands (two pure forests and four mixed forests). The main influencing factors contributing to these changes were identified in a low mountain and hilly region in central China. The soil waterline equation in this area was soil water δD = 5.626 δ18O − 16.791 (R2 = 0.798). The slope and intercept in the soil waterline equation were smaller than the atmospheric waterline equation. From a temporal perspective, the soil moisture content varied in the same trend under different rainfall events, with the maximum and minimum values on the first day after rainfall and the day before rainfall, respectively. However, an overall trend that first increased and then decreased was observed. From a spatial perspective, the soil moisture content increased with soil depth, and the increase rate was in the order of 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm in different soil layers. The soil moisture content in mixed conifer broadleaved woodlands was high. The soil water δD and δ18O in mixed conifer broadleaved woodlands and underground soil were relatively depleted. The effects of soil water-holding capacity, particle size composition, slope, canopy closure, and other factors on soil hydraulic parameters were comprehensively analyzed. The results showed that the extremely coarse sand (1–2 mm) particle content was the main parameter affecting soil-saturated hydraulic conductivity Ks, whereas the slope was the main factor affecting soil water δD and δ18O. In needle-leaved forests, the soil water infiltration form was a rainwater and soil water mixture downward diffusion, whereas the rainwater replaced the original soil water in the needle and mixed conifer broadleaved forests.