Regularities of Seasonal Changes in the Water Regime Soils of Arid Territories

Abstract

Under the conditions of modern natural processes in the arid zone, the leading role belongs to the formation of the water regime of soils and water resources and the implementation of measures to eliminate the deficiency of soil moisture and high air temperature. The development of natural cyclic activity and changes in the ratio of heat and moisture in individual seasons become significant forces capable of forming combinations in conditions of desertification and aridization. The parameters of the created combination of soils and water regime correspond to the requirements for the growth and development of individual groups of ephemeral vegetation, which determines the possibilities for using the biological potential. The study of the water regime of soils subject to desertification and arid degradation is an important problem of fundamental and applied significance. The stable state of the water regime of soils in desert and desert–steppe types of soil formation is accompanied by certain changes in the functioning of soils in different seasons of the year. Insufficient attention has been paid to the study of seasonal processes and functions of the soil cover. When studying different types of soils and aridization processes, it is necessary to know the role of combinations in water regime indicators that are formed in the shortest periods of time and represent their continuous changeability. To clarify this process, it is necessary to conduct studies of periodically occurring properties that help to reveal patterns of changes in the ratio of heat and moisture during periods of different duration and different amounts of precipitation. The results of studies of the regime of soil water properties provide the basis for determining the degree of aridization based on the genetic characteristics of the soil profile. The main factors in the manifestation of aridization are moisture deficiency and the increasing role of climate warming (Vinogradov et al., 1975). The research conducted in this direction is mainly related to the development of patterns of influence of soil formation factors (climate, parent rock, vegetation, anthropogenic factor) on the water regime of soils of arid ecosystems. In studies of arid degradation processes, considerable attention is paid to improving the water balance, planting protective forest belts, carrying out phytomeliorations, identifying the potential of forage vegetation and optimizing the anthropogenic impact (Laptev, 1997). The humification process is a factor determining the fertility of soils in arid regions and combating desertification, so studies of arid land problems are often limited to determining signs of desertification, decomposition dynamics, reduction of organic matter, loss of soil structure, elements of soil fertility, etc. This is a generally accepted approach that studies and evaluates degradation processes and transition stages from zonal soils to lithogenic organomineral formations characteristic of desertification areas.