Analysis of the Differences in Soil Water Storage Capacity of Grasslands with Different Elevation Gradients on the Southern Slopes of Qilian Mountains

The Qilian Mountain is an important water source in northwest inland, which is an important ecological security barrier and glacial water conservation area in China. It is of great ecological strategic significance to study its soil water storage capacity and further improve its water conservation function. In this study, alpine grassland with different altitude gradient is studied on the southern slope of the Qilian Mountain. Samples are collected through the wild analysis and treatment of indoor indicators, analysis the difference and influencing factors of soil water storage capacity of alpine grassland under different altitude gradient. In order to provide a basis for effectively improving the water conservation capacity in this area. The results indicate that: soil water storage and soil saturated storage capacity of alpine grassland decreased with increasing altitude gradient. Soil bulk capacity and total soil porosity significantly affect the soil water storage capacity. In addition, the soil particle composition of less than 63μm has a great impact on the soil water storage capacity. This explanation that the soil water storage capacity of alpine grassland in this area decreases with increasing altitude gradient. It is should be strengthened the soil water conservation work of alpine grassland above 3142 m.