Spatial Variability of Soil Moisture in Relation to Land Use Types and Topographic Features on Hillslopes in the Black Soil (Mollisols) Area of Northeast China

Abstract

Soil moisture, as a crucial factor in the eco-hydrological process, is of great importance for food production, land management in response to water and soil loss, geomorphic processes, and environmental protection. Understanding the spatial variability of soil moisture induced by different land use types and topographic features is conducive to advancing the adjustment of the land use structure and preventing soil erosion on the hillslopes in the black soil (Mollisols) area of Northeast China. Classical statistical methods and Canonical Correspondence Analysis were used to analyze the spatial heterogeneity of soil moisture at 0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm on slopes, to identify the main controlling factors and their relative contributions. The results suggested that: the average soil moisture content followed a decreasing order of grassland > shrubland > soybean land > maize land > adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) land > forestland; the profile soil moisture content (SMC) patterns could be divided into four types, related to the comprehensive influence of vegetation types, root system characteristics, and topographic attributes; the spatial variability of soil moisture was strongly influenced by slope gradient, followed by land use types and elevation and slope position, while slope aspect had the least impact; and finally, land use type had a greater impact on the deep layer than the surface layer, while on the contrary, the influence of the topographic attributes on the deep layer was smaller than on the surface layer. Land use types and topographical elements work together on the soil moisture variability and vertical patterns at differing depths. This study provides an insight into policy making of land resource management and can be used in the modeling of hydrological processes.