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Zhou S, Li P, Zhang X, Wang Y, Yu K, Shi P, Xiao L, Wang T, Chang E. Runoff and erosion reduction benefits of vegetation during natural succession on fallow grassland slopes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 954:176211. [PMID: 39277007 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 09/05/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/17/2024]
Abstract
Vegetation restoration is an effective and important measure for controlling soil erosion in arid and -arid regions. Both its aboveground and underground parts play a crucial role in controlling surface runoff and soil detachment on slopes. But how much the parts of vegetation contribute to the runoff and sediment reducing benefits of rill erosion on slopes is unclear. We used grassland slopes at four successional stages for simulated scouring experiments to observe how successional vegetation community structures, root characteristics, and soil structures contribute to erosion and sand production. Initial flow production time increased, and total runoff decreased. Under the scour intensities, the 11-year slope had the lowest flood peak and volume and the greatest runoff reduction benefit. The 25-year slope had the lowest sand peak and volume and the greatest sediment reduction benefit. As scour intensity increased, runoff reduction effect of vegetation at the successional stages decreased; the sediment reduction benefit remained high. PLS-PM analysis showed that the indirect effects of the aboveground and underground parts of vegetation on sand production were -0.364 and -0.439, respectively. Aboveground parts mainly embodied the regulation of runoff, in which stem count, humus mass, and biomass were the main factors affecting runoff and sand production. Underground parts mainly reflected their soil structure improvement, in which root volume density, root surface area density, and root mass density are the main explanatory variables. The direct effects of runoff and soil structure on slope rill erosion were 0.330 and -0.616, respectively, suggesting the stability of soil structure is the primary factor affecting the sand production, not erosion energy. The results provide a reference for scientific assessment of the key role of natural vegetation restoration in regional soil erosion control and the development of biological measures for soil and water conservation on the slopes of the Loess Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shixuan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of National Forestry Administration on Ecological Hydrology and Disaster Prevention in Arid Regions, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, Shaanxi, China
| | - Peng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of National Forestry Administration on Ecological Hydrology and Disaster Prevention in Arid Regions, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Xiaoming Zhang
- China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, No. 20, Chegongzhuang West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Yunqi Wang
- Jinyun Forest Ecosystem Research Station, School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Kunxia Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of National Forestry Administration on Ecological Hydrology and Disaster Prevention in Arid Regions, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, Shaanxi, China
| | - Peng Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of National Forestry Administration on Ecological Hydrology and Disaster Prevention in Arid Regions, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lie Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of National Forestry Administration on Ecological Hydrology and Disaster Prevention in Arid Regions, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of National Forestry Administration on Ecological Hydrology and Disaster Prevention in Arid Regions, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, Shaanxi, China
| | - Enhao Chang
- Yellow River Engineering Consulting Co. Ltd., Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China; Key Laboratory of Water Management and Water Security for Yellow River Basin, Ministry of Water Resources, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China.
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Xian L, Lu D, Yang Y, Feng J, Fang J, Jacobs DF, Wu D, Zeng S. Effects of woodland slope on heavy metal migration via surface runoff, interflow, and sediments in sewage sludge application. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13468. [PMID: 38867064 PMCID: PMC11169265 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64163-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Sewage sludge (SS) application to forest plantation soils as a fertilizer and/or soil amendment is increasingly adopted in plantation forest management. However, the potential risks of SS-derived heavy metals (HMs) remain a concern. Many factors, including woodland slope may affect the risks, but the understanding of this issue is limited. This research evaluated the HMs migration via surface runoff, interflow, and sediments when SS was applied in woodlands of varying slopes. We conducted indoor rainfall simulations and natural rainfall experiments to clarify the effect of slope on the migration of HMs via runoff (including surface and interflow) and sediments. In the simulated rainfall experiment, HMs lost via sediments increased by 9.79-27.28% when the slope increased from 5° to 25°. However, in the natural rainfall experiment, when the slope of forested land increased from 7° to 23°, HMs lost via surface runoff increased by 2.38% to 6.13%. These results indciate that the surface runoff water on a high slope (25°) posed high water quality pollution risks. The migration of HMs via surface runoff water or interflow increased as the steepness of the slope increased. The total migration of Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cr and Cd via sediment greatly exceeded that via surface runoff and interflow. Particles ≤ 0.05 mm contributed the most to the ecological risks posed by sediments. Cd was the main source of potential ecological risks in sediments under both experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Xian
- College of Forestry & Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dehao Lu
- College of Forestry & Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuantong Yang
- College of Forestry & Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiayi Feng
- Guangdong Eco-Engineering Polytechnic, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianbo Fang
- College of Forestry & Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Douglass F Jacobs
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA
| | - Daoming Wu
- College of Forestry & Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shucai Zeng
- College of Forestry & Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
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Han Y, Zhao W, Ding J, Ferreira CSS. Soil erodibility for water and wind erosion and its relationship to vegetation and soil properties in China's drylands. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 903:166639. [PMID: 37647966 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Drylands with fragile socio-ecological systems are vulnerable to soil erosion. China's drylands face the dual threat of water (WAE) and wind erosion (WIE). To mitigate soil erosion in drylands, China has implemented numerous ecological restoration measures. However, whether vegetation and soil have different effects on soil erodibility for water erosion (soil erodibility, K) and wind erosion (soil erodible fraction, EF) in drylands is unclear, hindering decision makers to develop suitable ecological restoration strategies. Here, we conducted a large-scale belt transect survey to explore the spatial variation of K and EF in China's drylands, and examined the linear and nolinear effects of aridity (aridity index), vegetation (fractional vegetation cover and below-ground biomass), and soil properties (bulk density, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus) on K and EF. The results showed in China's drylands that the K ranges from 0.02 to 0.07, with high values recorded in the northern Loess Plateau and the eastern Inner Mongolia Plateau. The EF ranges from 0.26 to 0.98, and shows longitudinal zonation with higher values in the east and lower values in the west. Aridity has a negative linear effect on K and an inverse U-shaped nonlinear effect on EF. Aridity can affect K and EF by suppressing vegetation growth and disrupting soil properties. However, K and EF had different responses to some vegetation and soil variables. K and EF had opposite relationships with soil bulk density, and EF was significantly affected by fractional vegetation cover, while K was not. Overall, the effects of aridity and soil properties on soil erodibility were more pronounced than those from vegetation, whose effect on soil erodibility was limited. This study provides relevant information to support reducing soil water and wind erosion by highlighting the hotspot areas of soil erodibility, relevant for implementing vegetation restoration and soil conservation measures in drylands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Han
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Institute of Land Surface System and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Wenwu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Institute of Land Surface System and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Jingyi Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Institute of Land Surface System and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Carla Sofia Santos Ferreira
- Department of Physical Geography and Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm SE-10691, Sweden; Research Centre for Natural Resources, Environment and Society (CERNAS), Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Agrarian Technical School, Coimbra, Portugal
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Feng L, Guo M, Wang W, Shi Q, Guo W, Lou Y, Zhu Y, Yang H, Xu Y. Evaluation of the effects of long-term natural and artificial restoration on vegetation characteristics, soil properties and their coupling coordinations. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 884:163828. [PMID: 37121322 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Vegetation restoration is the most important factor to restrain soil and water loss in the Chinese Loess Plateau, and its effect is long-term. Among them, the coupling and coordination relationship between vegetation and soil is the key to the smooth implementation of ecological restoration and the project of returning farmland to forest and grassland. However, people have neglected whether the choice of vegetation restoration method is suitable for the development of ecological environment in this region, and whether vegetation and soil coexist harmoniously. In this paper, the typical watersheds with similar terrain environment but different vegetation restoration methods were selected as the research objects, which were Dongzhuanggou (natural restoration, NR) and Yangjiagou (artificial restoration, AR). Through vegetation investigation and soil physical property experiment, the comprehensive evaluation function was used to quantify the impact of restoration methods on vegetation characteristics and soil properties, and the vegetation-soil coupling model was used to explore the coordinated development of vegetation and soil under different restoration methods. The results showed that there were significant differences between the two restoration methods in terms of vegetation characteristics (P < 0.05). The vegetation diversity indices of NR were 1.59-4.81 times that of AR. For root characteristic indices, NR was 1.05-2.25 times that of AR. For soil physical properties, there was no significant difference between the two restoration methods (P > 0.05). The comprehensive evaluation function of vegetation (VCE) and soil (SCE) under NR were 0.74 and 0.42, respectively, while those under AR were 0.55 and 0.63, respectively. The comprehensive function showed that the vegetation population performance under NR was slightly better than that under AR, while the soil restoration effect was opposite. Under the two restoration methods, the vegetation-soil coupling relationship was barely coordinated (NR: 0.53; AR: 0.54), and both were the intermediate coordinated development mode. The vegetation diversity, tending level and soil management level should be improved simultaneously during the process of vegetation restoration on the Chinese Loess Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanqian Feng
- The Research Center of Soil and Water Conservation and Ecological Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Education, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mingming Guo
- Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Mollisols Agroecology, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China.
| | - Wenlong Wang
- The Research Center of Soil and Water Conservation and Ecological Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Education, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Qianhua Shi
- Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, School of Environment and Resources, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030000, China
| | - Wenzhao Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xian, Shanxi 710000, China
| | - Yibao Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shanxi 712100, China
| | - Yanan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shanxi 712100, China
| | - Hao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shanxi 712100, China
| | - Yiyuan Xu
- Jiangsu Transportation Institute Group, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210000, China
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Qin X, Ni A, Yang D, Chen B, Liu S. Exploring Applicability of Different Ecological Protection Measures for Soil and Water Loss Control of Highway Slope in the Permafrost Area: A Case Study of Qinghai-Tibet Highway in China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4907. [PMID: 36981817 PMCID: PMC10049329 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
A variety of slope water and soil conservation measures have been taken along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, but the systematic comparison of their erosion control ability needs to be strengthened, especially in the permafrost area. To explore the applicability of different measures to control runoff and sediment yield, field scouring experiments were conducted for different ecologically protected slopes, including turfing (strip, block, full), slope covering (gravel, coconut fiber blanket), and comprehensive measures (three-dimensional net seeding). Compared with the bare slope, the bulk density of the plots with the ecological protection measure decreased, the moisture-holding capacity and the organic matter increased correspondingly, and the average runoff velocity also decreased. The soil loss and runoff had a similar trend of different ecological protection measures. The relationship between the cumulative runoff and sediment yield of different measures exhibited a power function, with the increase of scouring flow and the runoff reduction benefit and sediment reduction benefit in different ecological protection-measured plots showing a decreasing trend. The average runoff reduction benefit decreased from 37.06% to 6.34%, and the average sediment reduction benefit decreased from 43.04% to 10.86%. The comprehensive protection measures had the greatest protection efficiency, followed by turfing, while the cover measure had limited improvement. Soil characteristics, vegetation coverage, and the scouring inflow rate are key factors that influence protection efficiency. The results suggest that comprehensive measures and turfing be taken rather than cover measures or bare slopes. This work provides an experimental reference for ecological protection methods for highway slopes in the permafrost area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochun Qin
- College of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Anchen Ni
- College of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Dongxiao Yang
- College of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Bing Chen
- China Academy of Transportation Science, Beijing 100013, China
| | - Shiliang Liu
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 111875, China
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Heavy Metal Content and Pollution Assessment in Typical Check Dam Sediment in a Watershed of Loess Plateau, China. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14148597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
To understand historical trends and assess the ecological risk associated with heavy metal pollution, the concentration of eight species of heavy metals (vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and arsenic (As)) in typical silt dam sediments on the Loess Plateau were analyzed. The radionuclide 137Cs was used to quantify rates of erosion, deposition, and heavy metal contamination in the soils of a watershed that supplies a check dam. The sediment record revealed three time periods distinguished by trends in erosion and pollutant accumulation (1960–1967, 1968–1981, and 1985–1991). Heavy metal concentrations were highest but exhibited significant fluctuation in the first two periods (1960–1967 and 1968–1981). From 1985 to 1991, heavy metal pollution showed a downward trend and tended to be stable. The potential risks of heavy metals in silt dam sediments were explored by applying the geo-accumulation index and the potential ecological risk index. The results indicated medium risk associated with Cu and As accumulation, especially in 1963, 1971, and 1986 when the assessed values increased significantly from previous levels. Agricultural practices and high rates of slope erosion may be responsible for the enrichment of As and Cu in soil and the accompanying increase in risk. Land use optimization and the careful use of fertilizers could be used to control or intercept heavy metal pollutants in dammed lands. The results provide the basis for evaluating the current status and ecological risk of heavy metal contamination in dam sediments and for predicting possible heavy metal pollution in the future.
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Optimizing the Dryland Sheet Erosion equation in South China. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6276. [PMID: 35428771 PMCID: PMC9012792 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09258-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Optimisation of models applied in sheet erosion equations could facilitate effective management of sheet erosion in the field, and sustainable agricultural production. To optimise the characterisation of sheet erosion on slope farmland in South China, the present study conducted field simulation rainfall experiments with vegetated and fallow soils. According to the results, sheet erosion rate first increased with an increase in rainfall duration and then stabilised. Exclusive P. vulgaris planting and P. vulgaris in combination with earthworms could reduce sheet erosion by 10-60%, and the combined method could better control sheet erosion. There were significant differences in erosion rate between mild and steep slopes, and light and heavy rain conditions. The influence of rain intensity on sheet erosion was greater than that of slope. Soil organic matter (SOM), rain intensity, and slope can be used to optimise sheet erosion equations of exposed slopes, and SOM and hydraulic parameters can be used to optimise sheet erosion equations in vegetated slopes. The results of the present study could facilitate the reduction of the time and space variability errors in the establishment of sheet erosion models for vegetated slopes.
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Root Distribution and Soil Properties of Gully Heads and Their Effects on Headcut Migration in the Mollisols Region of Northeast China. LAND 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/land11020184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have proved that root distribution along gully headwalls greatly alters soil properties and further affects the soil erodibility of gully heads. However, it is not clear whether the gully headcut migration is affected by root distribution and soil properties. Five representative gullies developed in different land uses were selected to clarify the variations of root distribution and soil properties and their effects on headcut migration in the rainy season (May to October 2021) in the Mollisols region of northeast China. Results showed that the 68.4%–93.3% of root mass density and 65.6–88.5% of root length density were concentrated in 0–30 cm soil layer of gully heads, and the roots of <2.0 mm accounted for >85%. The gullies developed in farmlands had relatively higher soil compactness, shear strength and aggregate stability, but lower organic matter (OMC), disintegration capacity and soil permeability than those developed in woodlands, unpaved roads in farmland and stable gully-beds. Changes in soil properties of gully heads were closely related to root density. The linear, areal, and volumetric migration rate of gully heads varied greatly and were 1.07–35.11 m yr−1, 28.95–562.46 m2 yr−1 and 56.82–6626.37 m3 yr−1, respectively, with the average of 9.07 m yr−1, 156.92 m2 yr−1 and 1503.02 m3 yr−1, respectively. The change in headcut migration rate was significantly affected by root density, soil properties and drainage area, of which soil texture, OMC, soil aggregate structure, and the drainage area were the critical factors influencing headcut migration in the Mollisols region of northeast China.
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Dong L, Li J, Zhang Y, Bing M, Liu Y, Wu J, Hai X, Li A, Wang K, Wu P, Shangguan Z, Deng L. Effects of vegetation restoration types on soil nutrients and soil erodibility regulated by slope positions on the Loess Plateau. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 302:113985. [PMID: 34700089 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Soil degradation is significantly increased driven by soil nutrient loss and soil erodibility, thus, hampering the sustainable development of the ecological environment and agricultural production. Vegetation restoration has been widely adopted to prevent soil degradation given its role in improving soil nutrients and soil erodibility. However, it is unclear which vegetation type has the best improving capacity from soil nutrient and soil erodibility perspectives. This study selected three vegetation restoration types of grasslands (GL), shrublands (SL), and forestlands (FL) along the five slope positions (i.e., top, upper, middle, lower, and foot slope), to investigate the effects of vegetation restoration types on soil nutrients and soil erodibility. All vegetation restoration types were restored for 20 years from croplands (CL). We used comprehensive soil nutrient index (CSNI) and comprehensive soil erodibility index (CSEI) formed by a weighted summation method to reflect the effect of vegetation restoration on the improving capacity of soil nutrient and erodibility. The results showed the vegetation types with the highest comprehensive soil quality index (CSQI) at the top, upper, middle, lower and foot slope were FL (1.92), FL (1.98), SL (2.15), FL (2.37) and GL (3.93), respectively. When only one vegetation type was considered on the entire slope, SL (0.59) and FL (0.59) had the highest CSNI, the SL had the lowest CSEI (0.34) and the highest CSQI (1.89). The CSNI was mainly influenced by soil structure stability index (SSSI), sand content, silt + clay particles, and CSEI was controlled by soil organic matter (SOM), macroaggregates and microaggregates. Moreover, the CSQI was influenced by pH, silt and clay content, and biome coverage (BC). The study suggested the SL were advised as the best vegetation restoration type on the whole slope from improving soil nutrients and soil erodibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingbo Dong
- State Key Laboratory for Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shanxi, 712100, China
| | - Jiwei Li
- Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Science and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, Shanxi, 712100, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Science and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, Shanxi, 712100, China
| | - Mengyao Bing
- State Key Laboratory for Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shanxi, 712100, China
| | - Yulin Liu
- Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Science and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, Shanxi, 712100, China
| | - Jianzhao Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shanxi, 712100, China
| | - Xuying Hai
- State Key Laboratory for Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shanxi, 712100, China
| | - Ao Li
- State Key Laboratory for Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shanxi, 712100, China
| | - Kaibo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710075, China
| | - Puxia Wu
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grass Bureau of Loess Plateau, Shaanxi Forestry Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710021, China
| | - Zhouping Shangguan
- State Key Laboratory for Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shanxi, 712100, China; Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Science and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, Shanxi, 712100, China
| | - Lei Deng
- State Key Laboratory for Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shanxi, 712100, China; Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Science and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, Shanxi, 712100, China.
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