Soil moisture patterns in granite mountains could transform vegetation restoration efforts.
Soil moisture is crucial for plant growth in granite gneiss mountain areas. By studying soil moisture in different layers and slopes, researchers found that soil moisture penetration slows over time, with most soils having gravel and high porosity. Soil on sunny slopes has more capillary gaps than shaded slopes. Soil on steeper slopes has higher bulk density and lower storage capacity. Soil at 20-40 cm depth holds more water than other depths.