[Soil macropore characteristics under typical vegetations in Liupan Mountains].

The radius and density of soil macropores under eight typical vegetations in Liupan Mountains of Northwest China were studied by using water breakthrough curves and Poiseuille equation. The results indicated that the radii of soil macropores ranged from 0.4 mm to 2.3 mm, and the weighted mean radii ranged from 0.57 mm to 1.21 mm, with a mean of 0.89 mm. The density of soil macropores ranged from 57 individuals per dm2 to 1 117 individuals per dm2, with a mean of 408 individuals per dm2. The macropores with radii bigger than 1.4 mm had a lower density, accounting for only 6.86% of the total. The area proportion of soil macropores ranged from 0.76% to 31.26%, with a mean of 10.82%. In study area, the density of soil macropores was higher in broadleaf forest than in coniferous forest, but basically the same in sub-alpine meadow and in broadleaf forest, as well as in shrubs and in coniferous forest. As for the area proportion of soil macropores, it was also higher in broadleaf forest than in coniferous forest, but basically the same in shrubs and in broadleaf forest soil, as well as in sub-alpine meadow and in coniferous forest.