Comparing Water Use Characteristics of Bromus inermis and Medicago sativa Revegetating Degraded Land in Agro-Pasture Ecotone in North China

Revegetation with herbaceous plants has been effective in neutralizing land degradation; however, there is limited understanding about the water use characteristics and influences on soil dynamics of revegetated species for ecological restoration. Hence, stable isotopic composition xylem water, groundwater was measured to investigate uptake patterns Bromus inermis Medicago sativa semi-arid agro-pasture ecotone North China. Based hierarchical clustering analysis volumetric content (SWC), classified into four layers (0–5 cm, 5–10 10–20 cm 20–30 cm) as different sources. The main sources were from (27.0%) (24.2%) May, 0–5 (33.9%) (26.8%) June, became (54.7%) July, then August (23.2% 20.6%) September (35.1% 32.1%). (52.9%) (32.4%) June (61.0%), July (39.9%), (47.6%), (77.8%) September. Regression showed a negative relationship between SWC contribution (CWU) (CWU = −2.284 × + 60.833), when difference isotopes small among layers. Finally, two grassland types distinct shaped by species-specific strategies associated pore properties. These results indicate that are specific combination less competition recommended sustainable revegetation degraded land.