Introduction to the Special Issue “Ecohydrologic Feedbacks between Vegetation, Soil, and Climate”

C Jason Williams,S Kossi Nouwakpo

doi:10.3390/w14050760

Abstract

Highlights

Introduction to the SpecialIssue “Ecohydrologic Feedbacks between Vegetation, Soil, and Climate”C
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We provide a brief summary of the Special Issue papers, organized into three topic areas: (1) vegetation, soils, and hydrology and erosion feedbacks, (2) land cover change and subsurface flow process interactions, and (3) advances in erosion prediction and soil water content measurement

Summary

Introduction

Vegetation transitions on arid and semi-arid landscapes present unique opportunities for examining structural and functional (pattern and process) ecohydrologic feedbacks that regulate site ecological resilience. We provide a brief summary of the Special Issue papers, organized into three topic areas: (1) vegetation, soils, and hydrology and erosion feedbacks, (2) land cover change and subsurface flow process interactions, and (3) advances in erosion prediction and soil water content measurement These papers are a small sample, they provide unique and interesting insight into complex ecohydrologic relationships that commonly occur around the World. The authors found that intact terraces upslope of residual water-harvesting structures had significantly greater shrub and herbaceous vegetation cover and enhanced soil quality relative to ‘natural’ lands without structures and to degraded terraces upslope of collapsed structures. The studies by Williams et al [1] and Stavi et al [2] collectively elucidate the potential effects of structural/functional ecohydrologic feedbacks in enhancing or degrading plant community resilience and soil quality on water-limited lands

Land Cover Change and Subsurface Flow Interactions

Advances in Erosion Prediction and Soil Water Content Measurement