Effect of Shelterbelt Construction on Soil Water Characteristic Curves in an Extreme Arid Shifting Desert

To explore the impact of artificial shelterbelt construction with saline irrigation on soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) shifting sandy in extreme arid desert areas, three treatments including under (US), bare land (BL) and (CK) hinterland Taklimakan Desert were selected. The age is 16, vegetation cover mainly Calligonum mongolicum. soils from different depths 0–30 cm taken keeping view objective study. SWCCs determined by centrifugal method fitting was performed using various models such as Gardner (G) model, Brooks–Corey (BC) model Van Genuchten (VG) model. Then, most suitable SWCC results showed that electrical conductivity (EC) organic matter content BL US decreased increasing depth, while EC CK increased depth. changes bulk density, 0–5 mostly significant (p < 0.05) for treatments, differences also among treatments. Moreover, an improved water-holding capacity had impacts surface soil. increase available existed form readily water. BC VG found to be better than G results, best result CK, Model higher salt contents. Comparing models, we concluded although accuracy tended decrease salinity, highest when comparing treatment high salinity. Therefore, influence salinity should considered establishing transfer function.