DEEJ (2018) 7 (2) 11-22

Desert Ecosystem Engineering Journal

Journal homepage: http://deej.kashanu.ac.ir

University of Kashan

Temporal water balance of precipitation behavior in the sand dunes of Hares- Abad area, Sabzevar, Iran

Chooghi Bairam Komaki 1, Mohamad Taghi Kashki2

Received: 27/12/2017 Accepted: 16/07/2018

Abstract With announcing of the condition of water balance in sand dunes, it is easily possible biological reclamation and sustainable management of arid lands. To this end, a survey with eight vertical profiles was conducted in the sand dunes near Hares-Abad, Sabzevar, Iran, taking into account the effective factors in water balance in the soil moisture control section. Considering the morphology of sand dunes, the measurements were concentrated on two kinds of sand dunes including affixed sand dune and an active one, where the samples were distributed well on the different slopes of the active dune (three samples each from both the windward slope and the leeward slope, and one sample from the crest of the dune, and a sample as control from the fixed sand dune). Monthly moisture variations in the soil moisture control section were measured by TDR (time-domain reflectometry sensors) over two water years from 2014 to 2016. Besides, evapotranspiration rate was also calculated by the equation of water balance based on temperature and precipitation data. The findings show that the sand dunes in the study area are classified as non-infiltrative; that is to say that excess water does not reach aquifer. Keywords: Moisture, Drought, Rainfall, Percolation, Evaporation.

1. Assistant Professor, department of Arid Zone Management, Faculty of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (GUASNR), Gorgan, Iran, [email protected] 2. PhD Candidate, natural Resources Research Center, Agricultural Research and Education Center, Khorasan Razavi Agricultural Research and Education Organization, Mashhad, Iran DOI: 10.22052/jdee.2018.112114.1027

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C.B., Komaki, M.T., Kashki / Desert Ecosystem Engineering Journal (2018) 7 (2) 11-22

1. Introduction different water requirements(ChunWang and Arid lands cover about one-third of the Earth’s GuangSheng, 2001). continental surface and are expanding rapidly, In addition to annual precipitation, moisture due to climate change and land degradation content of the root zone is controlled by other (Dregne, 1991). Moreover, drought events and resources including groundwater, and air water scarcity in drylands are becoming a more humidity; they can play a significant role in the frequent environmental problem(Dong et al., supply of the water needed for plants in sand 2013). The water stored in sand dunes is an dunes. Additionally, land management systems important resource for plants in desert areas affect the moisture content in arid lands; water where it can be brought through the meteoric infiltration has a positive correlation with precipitation(Berndtsson et al., 1996; Wen et precipitation in all land uses; while there exists al., 2014). In semi-arid and arid regions, where a lag time in response to rainfall in deeper soil evapotranspiration is always higher than layer. Despite this lag time, moisture content of rainfall, information about water balance is the deep layers (80-120 cm) is stable(Niu et al., important(Pedram et al., 2017). Because of 2015). evapotranspiration in the revegetated sand Stabilization of sand dunes changes dunes and evaporation from bare sand dunes, hydrological characteristics of dunes; hydraulic water deficit is considered the main determinant conductivity is reduced in fixed dunes owing to of success in vegetation restoration and sand the changes in clay, silt and organic matter dune stabilization programs. In general, content resulting in lower infiltration rates in surveying the water balance in sand dunes can inactive dunes(Hugenholtz and Koenig, 2014). be acquired from weekly to yearly timescales. Biological crusts have also a great influence on The survey of water balance and the status of water regime in dunes. They can deter water the moisture regimes are important in infiltration, redistribute runoff and reduce determining soil hydrological groups. evaporation and wind erosion in dune systems Additionally, collecting information about the (Coppola et al., 2011). Their presence will effective parameters in water balance such as improve vegetation cover due to higher rainfall, infiltration, evapotranspiration and any volumes of fine particles as well as favorable moisture variations within soil profile will help microclimatic conditions(Yair et al., restoration programs, leading to the 1997).Morphology of dunes could also affect implementation of a sustainable land infiltration rate; as findings in the moisture and management. This information will also help temperature profiles of sand dunes after rainfall determine accurate timing of seeding, seedling in Tengger Desert in Northwestern China show transfer, and supplementary irrigation, and even the infiltration mainly occurs in flat sections, the utilization of the fixed sand dunes for explicitly in dune crests and interdune area. agricultural purposes. Therefore, based on the Rainfall alters temperature pattern of dunes water balance potential usage of sand dunes from horizontally layered to vertical form. needs to be assessed on a scientific basis. This Vegetation and soil texture also influence the may lead to effective establishment and status of water balance. Monitoring soil water production of plants in desert rangelands (Tsoar balance and aquifer recharge on the Hanford and Zohary, 1985). In other words, in Research Site in southwestern Washington, DC, considering rain use efficiency in sand dunes, for a six-year period (2004-2009) showed that acquiring knowledge about the spatiotemporal the rates of groundwater recharge or percolation distribution of water is necessary; this can varied from about zero in well-vegetated fine- greatly improve the procedure of plant textured soil to more than 86 mm per year in establishment and calculation of their water the barren and coarse-grained surfaces requirements(Rummel and Felix-Henningsen, (Rockhold et al., 2009). Water deficit in 2004; Rouhipour et al., 2008). In many cases, drylands might relate to air condition; as the re-vegetation and biological stabilization of studies of moisture balance using the sand dunes fail due to paying no attention to the Thornthwaite-Mather Model in Nebraska sand water balance. Additionally, plant species have dunes (Sridhar V. and Hubbard K. G, 2010)

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C.B., Komaki, M.T., Kashki / Desert Ecosystem Engineering Journal (2018) 7 (2) 11-22 showed that even though the annual rainfall Forestry and Rangeland Organization, through was about 420mm, water loss through planting drought-tolerant species or the evapotranspiration was 861mm, and the utilization of mechanical approaches such as evapotranspiration potential was 1214mm. windbreak and oil mulch. Irrigation operations There was a surplus of water in wet season have been carried out by tanker for some distant (December and March), while there was water areas where precipitation could not support shortage at the beginning of growing season in water requirements of plants. Some projects May, and this shortage prolongs until have failed due to neglecting water balance September and October; there, water deficit principles. In other words, in vegetation might be compensated by the upstream aquifer. restoration plans and biological stabilization of The horizontal variation of water balance in sand dunes, study of water balance is necessary. megadunes and lakes, and hydrologic cycle Better understanding of the sites, water regime might be controlled by topography and and vegetation response will improve the geomorphic features; firstly, vegetation strips conservation and restoration programs in on the leeward slope of the sand dunes reflect combatting desertification. the hydrological regime inside the sandy vadose For this reason, this research aims to zone. Then the leakage of wet sand sediments investigate the vertical variations of water and secondary salinized sediments indicate the balance in fixed and active sand dunes. The pattern of water movement. Thirdly, the results will be useful in restoration and groundwater seeps and the springs near the revegetation of sand dunes as well as in lakes in the sandy hills reflect the local groundwater recharge. effects(Dong et al., 2013). Based on the soil water balance theory, soil 2. Materials and Methods water dynamics and evapotranspiration (ET) of 2.1. Study Area Characteristics artificial sand-fixing Caragana microphylla and The study area (geographically on 36 46" N Caragana korshinskii shrubs with three and 57 with an altitude of 948m different densities were researched in Horqin above sea level is located in the sand dunes of sandy land during the growing season. Results Hares-Abad, about 5 km south of Sabzevar in showed that mean soil water content of three northeast of Iran. The project was conducted in shrub densities changed with time, different an area of 1000 square meters (100m×10 m). density caused spatial changes of soil water As the effect of prevailing winds, which blow content in the deep soil horizon, but brought from the east to the west, the sand dunes little influence on soil water temporal stretch from northeast to southwest, with a trends(Zhang et al., 2013). mild slope in the windward direction in the The active sand dunes and inactive ones in eastern part, and a steep gradient in the Iran are about 5 million and 12 million hectares, leeward slope on the western side (Figure 1). respectively (IFNRCBD, 2000), where only a small portion has actively been managed by the

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Tabriz

(! 36°15'N Ashkhabad / 36°15'N ! ± (

Mosul (! Sabzevar Mashhad (! Tehran (! ^

Herat (! Baghdad (!

Esfahan 36°10'N (! 36°10'N

Yazd (! (!

Al Basra Sand dune

(! 30° Legend

30° ^ Shiraz Zahedan Al Kuwayt (! (! ^ Study area (! Twonships

Sabzevar 36°5'N

Other Iranian Provinces 36°5'N Khoresan Razavi Privince (! Cities 6 3 0 6 km Rivers 0 75 150 300 450 (! Doha km Lakes (! (! Coordinate57°30'E System: WGS 1984 UTM Zone 40N 57°40'E 50° 60° Central Meridian: 57°0'0"E (! Figure 1: the geographicalAsia location of the study area in the southern sand dune near Harsabad, Sabzevar, Iran 13

C.B., Komaki, M.T., Kashki / Desert Ecosystem Engineering Journal (2018) 7 (2) 11-22

According to the meteorological data from 2.2. Sampling and Measurements Sabzevar synoptic station, spanning from 1966 This scientific research aims to estimate the to 2016, mean annual precipitation and water balance in the sandy dune's vertical potential evapotranspiration (ETP)are 188.6 profile, therefore, four parameters such as and 995.9 mm, respectively, and mean annual precipitation (mm), evapotranspiration (mm), temperature is 17.4º C. Soil moisture regime soil moisture, and groundwater recharge (mm) and soil thermal regime of the study area are are measured though laboratory method, field aridic and thermic, respectively. Dry season in survey and climatology station (Figure 2). the region starts in late March and continues until the end of November.

Figure 2: Flowchart of research procedure

2.2.1. Position of samples on the dunes Water balance of sand dune ecosystems is important in recharging the soil moisture control section (Rummel and Felix- Henningsen, 2004). Considering abiotic factors such as local relief and dune morphology, this project was conducted to determine water regime. For this reason, we selected an area of typical dune-interdune area as the experimental site. 2.2.2. Moisture content of the profiles

Eight profiles with 120 cm depth (seven Figure 3: Measuring soil moisture by time domain profiles on an active dune, and one on a fixed reflectometry (TDR) dune as a control profile) were studied. The profiles on the active dune were distributed in The difference between ambient temperature different positions on the dune; three profiles and sand dune temperature controls the dew are located on the windward slope and three point in dry lands. The effect of dew on soil are on the steep slope, and one is on the top of moisture is substantial in some arid regions of the dune. Soil moisture contents were the world and cannot be neglected(McHugh et measured at fixed intervals (equally defined al., 2015; Wen et al., 2014). For this reason, in distances of 60-cm layers) using time domain order to investigate dew effect on soil reflectometry equipment (Figure 3). moisture, a control experiment was conducted at the beginning of autumn (2014) in the profiles on three considered sites, in the fixed

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C.B., Komaki, M.T., Kashki / Desert Ecosystem Engineering Journal (2018) 7 (2) 11-22 sand dune and the active dune; the volumetric 0.02 and 0.04, respectively. soil moisture is measured in the determined 2.2.3. Groundwater recharge horizons at 4am and 12:30 pm. Finally, it was Groundwater recharge, percolation or proved the dew formation in the study area is gravitational infiltration shows the amount of insignificant in water supply(Agam and water seeping into groundwater; it is the Berliner, 2006) excess of incoming monthly rainfall and 2.2.1. Precipitation data outgoing evapotranspiration. In humid Precipitation can be measured directly by rain seasons, it is positive, but in arid regions with gauge; however, the effective rainfall might be shallow groundwater table, groundwater controlled by wind and evaporation from recharge is negative during dry seasons. That gauge itself(Kaczmarek and Krasuski, means the recharge of groundwater table is 1991).Snow accumulation, snow melting and impossible(Tallaksen and Lanen, 2005). the water interception of the canopy are 2.3. Numerical Modeling negligible in arid lands, as there occurs rare According to the law of conservation of snow, and the vegetation canopy is also sparse. energy and mass, the water balance in sand Following from these, the rain gauge was dunes is affected by precipitation, actual installed in the study area even though the evapotranspiration, water holding of soil monthly rainfall statistics of the synoptic horizons, groundwater recharge and possible station of Sabzevar were used. Considering the vapor water. The amount of vapor water is wet and dry seasons, the hydrological year is very low, therefore it is negligible in this considered in this research. Rainfall data were context (Tsoar and Zohary, 1985). Water measured in two water years of 2014-2015 and balance is useful in managing water supply as 2015-2016; the yearly mean values of rainfall well as in determining water shortage. The were 226 mm and 181 mm, respectively. water balance model, proposed by Penck in 2.2.2. Actual evapotranspiration 1896, is based on precipitation, evaporation Monthly potential evapotranspiration was and streamflow. The characteristics of the soil calculated using the temperature data from the horizon of water holding take into account all synoptic station of Sabzevar. Following the the input and output of water to the sand dune measurement of the sand’s water storage system; hence, the water balance is formulated capacity and monthly moisture, actual as in the Eq.2, below (Kaczmarek and evapotranspiration (Ea) was obtained according Krasuski, 1991; Rouhipour, 2005; Zhou et al., to Eq. 1; 2017).

Eq. 1 Eq. 2 [ ] [ ] where ETP is potential evapotranspiration, and

S and Sc represent the soil’s moisture content where, is the temporal variations of soil and water holding capacity (field capacity and moisture as water holding capacity in the soil pit retention), respectively. Since the actual horizon, evapotranspiration calculated by indirect [ ] (mm day -1) is the effective vertical methods is different from the actual and horizontal precipitation and snow budget evapotranspiration obtained by the lysimetric estimates, method (Novák, 2012; Rana and Katerji, 2008; AP (mm day -1) represents the water runs on Zhao et al., 2013), a correction coefficient was from neighborhood, applied for the evaporation from the sand GI (mm day -1) represents the subsurface the surface; this coefficient is calculated using the water runs on from groundwater, differences in soil moisture at 120 cm depth C (mm day -1) is the air vapor (humidity) given for the consecutive months in the summertime, to vegetation and soil, and its average calculated after division by the PR (mm day -1) represents the surface water evapotranspiration potential of each month. runs off, The evaporation coefficients for the bare and PE (mm day -1) is transpiration, active sand dune and the fixed one were about

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-1 SE (mm day ) is evaporation, seeping through the soil from upper to lower Tr (mm day -1) is water intake by vegetation, layers and might possibly recharge Go represents subsurface water. groundwater if the water is in surplus. As the Considering the water balance of the soils in parameters in the water balance equation are arid lands, some of mentioned parameters are estimated, it is possible to judge the hydrologic often insignificant (Rockhold et al., group of the sand dunes, as well as the nature 2009),since some parameters such as snow of water requirement by the plants. occur rarely. Therefore, concerning the law of 3. Results mass and energy, the equation can be converted into Eq.3: 3.1. Water balance parameters in the sand dunes of Hares-Abad Eq. 3 ∫ For a two-year period of the study, Figure 1 where ΔM (mm day -1) represents the variation and Figure 2 display the variations of water of water holding of horizon, balance parameters in the active and fixed P (mm day -1) is precipitation entering the sand dunes, respectively. The findings in the horizon, sand dune of Hares-Abad show that S (mm day -1) represents runoff, percolation has a positively direct relationship ΔD (mm day -1) is surface detention, with the amount of precipitation. Inversely, it U (mm day -1) is groundwater recharge, is negatively related to actual percolation in case of excess or deficit water, evapotranspiration and absolute magnitude of E (mm day -1) is evapotranspiration, moisture variation of the water holding Due to high permeability of sand dunes, two horizon. In fact, it is observed that percolation parameters of surface detention (ΔD) and is positive when water is in excess of field runoff are out of importance. Eventually, the capacity during wet months of the year (winter water balance is simplified as inEq.4, below; and early spring). However, the groundwater Eq. 4 ∫ recharge data in sand dune in dry months By determining the measurable parameters of (summer and early autumn) show negative Eq. (3), we can calculate the amount of values, meaning water deficit. percolation, which is the amount of water

120 0

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0

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ETa(mm)

Jan-15 Apr-15 Jul-15 Oct-15 Jan-16 Apr-16 Jul-16 -20 Oct-14 30 -40

Precipitation & groundwater Precipitation groundwater & regharge(mm) 35 -60

-80 40 Precipitation Evapotranpiration Leeward side groundwater regharge Windward side groundwater regharge Top side groundwater regharge

Figure 4: Precipitation, evaporation, and groundwater recharge (in three positions including dune crest, windward and leeward slopes) for the active dune 16

C.B., Komaki, M.T., Kashki / Desert Ecosystem Engineering Journal (2018) 7 (2) 11-22

120 0

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Precipitation & groundwater Precipitation groundwater & regharge(mm) -80 40

Precipitation Evapotranpiration Groundwater regharge on fixed dune

Figure 5: Precipitation, evaporation, and groundwater recharge for the fixed dune The correlation between precipitation and to precipitation in fixed dunes by psamophile percolation / water deficiency in three plants(Holoxylon spp., Smirnivia iranica) is positions (windward, leeward and dune crest) the main reason for meaningless of correlation is illusterated in Figure 6 for the active sand while in active dunes there is not any plant that dune in Hares-Abad. Groundwater recharge, uses water storage. So, in active dunes the percolation, in the active sand dune correlates majority of preicipitation percolates into deep well with rainfall, but its impact on the layers which leads to positive correlation percolation in the fixed sand dune is not between them. significant.Consumption of water storage due

80 80 y = 0.7835x - 13.706 60 y = 1.0146x - 14.723 60 R² = 0.702

40 R² = 0.8306

40 20 20

0 groundwater groundwater groundwater 0 50 100 0

regharge regharge -20 regharge regharge 0 20 40 60 80 100 -40 -20 -60 Leeward Leeward -40 -80 Downward Precipitation -60 Precipitation

80 80 y = 0.989x - 19.715 y = 0.4846x - 15.376 60 60 R² = 0.7027 R² = 0.3396

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20 20 0 0 groundwater groundwater 0 50 100 0 50 100

regharge regharge -20 -20

-40 fixed dunes -40

Topside -60 -60

-80 Groundwater regharge on -80 Precipitation Precipitation

Figure 6: Correlation between precipitation and groundwater recharge in the active dune (in three positions including dune crest, windward and leeward slopes) and the fixed dune

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Oct-14 Jan-15 Apr-15 Jul-15 Oct-15 Jan-16 Apr-16 Jul-16

Precipitation Windward -60 Leeward -60 Top-60 Control-60

Figure 7: Temporal distribution of rainfall (right axis) and percentage of water content (left axis) in 0-60 cm depth for active (in three positions including top, windward and leeward slopes) and fixed dunes (red line)

18 120

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Figure 8: Temporal distribution of rainfall (right axis) and the percentage of water content (left axis) in 60-120 cm depth for active (in three positions including top, windward and leeward slopes) and fixed dunes (red line) 3.2. The relationship of precipitation and rainfall (its amount and distribution). As the moisture content in sand dune layers amount of precipitation increases, soil Variations of moisture content in various moisture increases in each horizon. Secondly, sectors of the active and fixed dunes are the pattern of moisture variation in different illustrated in Figure4 and Figure5.They parts of a sand dune is related to its dynamic indicate, firstly, that moisture fluctuations in conditions. Precipitation and moisture content both types of sand dunes follow the patterns of have higher correlation in the upper layer of

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C.B., Komaki, M.T., Kashki / Desert Ecosystem Engineering Journal (2018) 7 (2) 11-22 sand dune (more than 0.67) than the lower during wet months, and it percolates through layer. Moisture content in the lower layer of dune layers and recharges the groundwater. the active dune crest has the lowest correlation Similar results were reported from Badain with rainfall. The dune crest and windward Jaran Desert, China, where the amount of slope, due to instability of the particles and infiltration varies from 11 to 30 millimeter per their high mobility, have low moisture, and the year(Hou et al., 2016). Therefore, before moisture content difference between upper and taking any biological/revegetation action in the lower layers is high, especially on the top of sand dunes of Haresabad, the distribution of the dune. precipitation and water balance should be Similarly, the comparison of moisture considered. Native drought-tolerant species content and its fluctuations at different depths need to be planted in a position where enough on windward (gentle slope) and leeward (steep moisture exists. Secondly, there is an extreme slope) sites indicate that although the amount fluctuation of moisture content in surface layer of moisture absorbed in different slopes does (0-60 cm depth) in sand dunes, and this is not demonstrate a significant difference, local inevitable and has a worsening effect on displacement of particles (movement and erosion. Furthermore, the wind in this area accumulation) has helped the moisture in the limits any biological action. The deep layer gentle slope be more stable than the steep (60-120cm depth) has a stable moisture slope. condition. This is consistent with the report of The pattern of monthly moisture content in a study assessing the water balance in a linear fixed dune shows lower values for it than in sand dune in the Negev desert, where in the active one; it is apparently related to the addition to the role of biological agents vegetation effects, especially shrub species especially vegetation, abiotic factors such as which affect hydrological characteristics such relief and wind has been emphasized(Rummel as interception, evapotranspiration, and and Felix-Henningsen, 2004). Similarly, it is microclimate formation by plant canopy, and revealed that soil moisture content is stable in finally the absorption of moisture in deeper deep layers (about 80-100 cm) as shown in layers. Therefore, the amount of moisture sandy dunes of Khuzestan(Rouhipour, 2005), absorption and holding in the fixed dune is and Horqin sand dunes, northern China (Niu et more than the active one in wet seasons, and al., 2015). Moreover, particle size analysis of inversely, during dry periods, due to water aeolian sediments indicates that the dominant consumption by plants, moisture content particles range in size from 0.1 to 0.25 mm in stored in fixed dune is lower than the active diameter, which is very vital in maintaining dune(Wang et al., 2004; Koenig, 2012). moisture content. An investigation in Badain Jaran Desert (Hou et al., 2016) showed that 4. Conclusions high proportion of particles of fine-sized sand The results from this study indicate that, up to 74.6% improved the soil moisture firstly, as there exists a negative water balance content up to 4%. For this reason, in order to in the fixed sand dune, precipitation is the only stabilize sand dunes of the study area, physical source of water supply for plants. It is measures are of priory. For instance, wind demonstrated that the presence of plants speed needs to be reduced by windbreaks as a reduces percolation as they increase first step. Plants can be cultivated in a evapotranspiration (Zhang et al., 2008) . In the sheltered area afterwards. In addition, the study area, there are no supplementary water spatiotemporal variation of moisture should be sources such as groundwater, dew water, and considered in order to identify best timing for runoff. This is very different from the findings the success of seeding and seedling plantation by Rouhipour et al. (2008); where due to to guarantee the establishment of plants on subsurface recharge by the Karke River, sand dunes. For instance, Niu et al. (2005) groundwater has a considerable role in water suggested the wintertime as the best time for supply, and is useful for trees and shrubs. the cultivation of Caragana korshiniskii. due However, there is water surplus in the active to low organic matter in the dunes. Initially sand dunes beyond evaporation loss, especially 19

C.B., Komaki, M.T., Kashki / Desert Ecosystem Engineering Journal (2018) 7 (2) 11-22 some pioneer plants such as Stipagrostis leads to discharge the water contents through spp.are to be planted to improve the soil. Then, escalating evapotranspiration (Oliphant et al., native shrubs and bushes are to be used such 2011). It seems that fixed dunes pumps water as Astragalus Squarsus, Astragalus Squarsus, storage from deeper layers into upper layers Smirnovia iranica, Calligonum spp., and and then it vapors under evapotranspiration Haloxylon persicum, as Wang et al. (2004) phenomenon unless roots of plants reaches to used Salixgor dejevii in China. groundwater. As, in study area the depth of Finally, it is recommendable to begin the groundwater is greatly deep, so survive of biological stabilization of the dunes from the plants depends on amount of precipitation. But windward side; as the moisture content in this in active or non- fixed dunes slightly amount part of the dunes is more stable. This is of water storage evaporates from surface layer consistent with the findings of a study on (maximum 45 cm based on capillary hydrological cycle and water balance in the measurements on dunes) and the remains of Badain Jaran Desert sand dunes (Yan-Dong et water easily percolate into deep layers and al., 2017). Latterly, dune restoration plantation safely conserved.

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