Temporal and spatial characteristics of soil water content in diverse soil layers on land terraces of the Loess Plateau, China

•Analyze the SWC temporal stability using small sampling interval in the terraces.•The temporal stability of SWC pattern over the whole hillslope was examined.•Distinguish the primary factors of SWC temporal stability•The effect of roots on the temporal stability of SWC was studied.

Soil water content (SWC) plays a significant role in land surface hydrological processes (e.g., evapotranspiration, infiltration and runoff) and the spatial and temporal distribution of vegetation in arid and semi-arid regions. The aim of this study was to analyze the temporal stability of the SWC distribution pattern and to examine the primary factors that influence SWC temporal stability over a year and during the rainy season at different soil depths in terraces. The SWCs in eight soil depths at intervals of 0.2 m down to a depth of 1.6 m were measured at 21 locations in terraces containing jujube trees (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) over two periods (over a year and during the rainy season). The results showed that the mean SWC over a year was larger than that for the rainy season in the corresponding layers. The mean SWC was highest in the lower slope. Soil depth significantly affected the SWC distribution over time and space. Water uptake mainly occurred between 1.0 and 1.2 m soil depth in both the rainy season and over the whole season. Moreover, the SWC demonstrated moderate spatial variability and was normally distributed at each depth. The temporal stabilities of SWC spatial patterns were strong for both the year period and the rainy season. The number of SWC representative locations varied depending on the soil depth. The SWCs measured at the best representative locations correctly represented the mean SWCs. Soil particles were the primary influencing factor affecting the mean relative difference, and root density was the primary influencing factor affecting the standard deviation of the relative differences. In conclusion, the SWC in the terraces showed stronger temporal stability during the rainy season compared to the year period.