Response characteristics of precipitation, soil moisture and groundwater level in desert-oasis system

Distribution and movement of water are important for combating the desertification in desert-oasis system.Precipitation,soil moisture and groundwater level were observed and analyzed in desert-oasis system in growing season,which lies between the Kubuqi Desert and the Yellow River in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.Responses among the precipitation,soil moisture and groundwater level at the edge of desert were characterized by lower soil moisture content and higher variance among different layers,lower and steady groundwater level,fuzzy relations between soil moisture and groundwater,quick movement and obvious dissipation of the precipitation in soil,and all of the above were visibly different from those at the ecotone and oasis.The oasis's response is direct opposite to the desert's,while the ecotone's response is intermediate between desert's and oasis's but approach the desert's more.All the preceeding factors must be considered when the vegetation restorations begin at the edge of desert for wind-breaking and sand-fixing,which can assure the higher survival rate of vegetation and healthy development of the ecosystem.