Articles | Volume 23, issue 5
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-2481-2019
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-2481-2019
Research article
 | 
27 May 2019
Research article |  | 27 May 2019

The influence of litter crusts on soil properties and hydrological processes in a sandy ecosystem

Yu Liu, Zeng Cui, Ze Huang, Hai-Tao Miao, and Gao-Lin Wu

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Cited articles

Acharya, B. S., Stebler, E., and Zou, C. B.: Monitoring litter interception of rainfall using leaf wetness sensor under controlled and field conditions, Hydrol. Process., 31, 240–249, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.11047, 2016. 
Bulcock, H. H. and Jewitt, G. P. W.: Field data collection and analysis of canopy and litter interception in commercial forest plantations in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, South Africa, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 16, 3717–3728, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-16-3717-2012, 2012. 
Chamizo, S., Cantón, Y., Miralles, I., and Domingo, F.: Biological soil crust development affects physicochemical characteristics of soil surface in semiarid ecosystems, Soil Biol. Biochem., 49, 96–105, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2012.02.017, 2012. 
Chen, Y. P., Wang, K. B., Lin, Y. S., Shi, W. Y., Song, Y., and He, X.: Balancing green and grain trade, Nat. Geosci., 8, 739–741, https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo2544, 2015. 
Chomel, M., Guittonny-Larchevêque, M., Desrochers, A., and Baldy, V.: Effect of mixing herbaceous litter with tree litters on decomposition and n release in boreal plantations, Plant Soil, 398, 229–241, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-015-2648-5, 2016. 
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Short summary
We focus on the positive effects of litter crusts on soil water holding capacity and water interception capacity compared with biocrusts. Litter crusts can significantly improve sandy water content and organic matter. Water-holding capacity increased with development of litter crusts in the sandy interface. Water infiltration rate is increased by sandy and litter crusts' interface properties. Litter crusts provided a better microhabitat conducive to plant growth in sandy lands.