A rainfall enrichment system suitable for open field experiments in arid and semi-arid ecosystems

Zhiming Xin; Jianqiang Qian; Carlos A. Busso; Bo Wu; Yajuan Zhu; Jinxin Zhang; Yonghua Li; Qi Lu

doi:10.30550/j.lil/2020.57.1/4

Authors

Zhiming Xin Experimental Center of Desert Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry
Jianqiang Qian College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University
Carlos A. Busso Departamento de Agronomía-CERZOS (CONICET), Universidad Nacional del Sur
Bo Wu Experimental Center of Desert Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry
Yajuan Zhu Experimental Center of Desert Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry
Jinxin Zhang Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry
Yonghua Li Institute of Desertification Studies, Chinese Academy of Forestry
Qi Lu Institute of Desertification Studies, Chinese Academy of Forestry

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30550/j.lil/2020.57.1/4

Keywords:

Climate change, desert ecosystem, ecosystem response, experimental system, rainfall simulation

Abstract

The predicted changes in precipitation patterns because of global change have profound effects on terrestrial ecosystems. In the present study, the principle and design details of a rainfall enrichment system (RAINES) for open field experiments in semi-arid and arid ecosystems are shown. The rainfall intensity, validity and uniformity of this experimental facility were also tested. During the period from 2008 to 2010, our data showed that the RAINES was able to simulate rainfall events with different rainfall sizes, frequencies and timing. The greatest advantage of the RAINES was its high uniformity in rainfall distribution over a relatively large experimental surface area (>90 m²), which was important for experimental studies of semi-arid and arid ecosystems where vegetation distribution is sparse. The rainfall validity of RAINES was steadily at 66% or higher as long as the hydraulic pressure exceeded 1.4 KPa and the wind speed was below 2.5 m s^-1. Since the RAINES is light-weight, inexpensive and versatile enough to be used to simulate various rainfall events with needed properties in remote fields, it is able to provide reliable simulated rainfall in the field for studying possible responses of soil and vegetation processes to rainfall change in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. The application of the RAINES will improve our understanding on the relationship between water availability and ecosystem processes in arid and semi-arid ecosystems, which will provide useful knowledge for the protection, restoration and sustainable management of semi-arid and arid desert ecosystems world.

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