Spatial patterns of SWS and ASWS were investigated along a 500-km transect. SWS but not ASWS was significantly higher in the subhumid than the semiarid zone. SWS1 m and ASWS1 m had higher vertical variation in the semiarid than the subhumid zone. Land use significantly affected SWS5 m and ASWS5 m at the transect scale. Climate, topography and soil integrated controlled SWS at the transect scale.