Spatial variability and rational sample number of soil water and salt in the Central Taklimakan Desert Botanical Garden

This study by using typical statistical and geostatistical methods analyzed spatial variation characteristics of water and salt in soil of lower root zones in the Central Taklimakan Desert Botanical Garden. The results show a medium spatial variability of soil water and salt distribution in the lower root zones in the garden. The coefficients of variation of water in the 80 cm, 100 cm, 120 cm and 140 cm soil depths are respectively 44.16%, 41.30%, 45.53% and 55.44%. Also, the coefficients of variation of salt in the respective soil layers are 41.51%, 34.00%, 42.28% and 30.52%. Soil water content in the respective layers satisfies the exponential, Gaussian, exponential and linear models. Soil electrical conductivity meets spherical, spherical, linear and linear models in respective layers. A good monitoring alternative is formulated in the garden for soil water and salt of the lower root zones, in which 85 soil profiles are orientated by taking into account of the typical statistic theory, range and isograms of soil water and salt of the lower soil root zone. Given the need for long-time development of the Central Taklimakan Desert Botanical Garden, this study advances reasonable strategies for the monitor of lower soil root zone water and salt conditions. This has significant implications for optimizing irrigating systems for the sustainability of artificial forests in desert hinterlands.