Study on soil water and salt contents for main vegetation communities in the Liaohe Delta

Soil water and salt contents for main vegetation communities were analyzed and the relationships among soil total salt content, soil water content and soil pH were discussed in different soil layers in the Liaohe Delta. The results show that soil total salt content, soil water content and soil pH are obviously different for different vegetation communities in different soil layers. Soil total salt content is the highest in bare soil and the lowest in forest (Populus simonii) soil for different soil layers. The effects of halophytic vegetation on soil salt content are significant, such as seepweed (Suaeda salsa), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), reed (Phragmites communis) and willow (Tamarix chinensis). Soil water content is lower in forest (Populus simonii) soil for different soil layers. The effects of tide on bare soil, seepweed community and reed community are obvious, so the differences of soil water contents among them is also significant. Soil pH is 7.30-8.97 in study area. In general, soil total salt content is significantly related with soil water content and soil pH, which indicates that soil water content and soil pH are important factors influencing soil total salt content.