Effects of deep soil desiccation on artificial forestlands in different vegetation zones on the Loess Plateau of China

Deep soil desiccations are increasingly threatening artificial forests on the Loess Plateau of China. Soil moisture in 0–1000 cm soil layers of 23 kinds of tree and shrub forestlands was measured. Average soil moisture in 0–1000 cm soil profile of the forestlands was 10.84%, obviously lower than soil moisture in local natural grasslands and soil stable moisture. Average soil desic-cation intensity reached a medium level. Maximum soil water use depth was close to or over 1000 cm, and the thickness of desic-cated soil layers in forestlands reached or passed 800 cm