Effects of Film Mulching on Plant Growth and Nutrients in Artificial Soil: A Case Study on High Altitude Slopes

Xing Wang,Xiaowen Wang,Changming Tan,Min Xia,Hailong Sun

doi:10.3390/su131911026

Xing Wang, Xiaowen Wang + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su131911026

Copy DOI

Abstract

Vegetation restoration on slopes is generally difficult, especially in high altitude areas since the environment has dramatically changing weather conditions that are not suitable for plant growth. In this study, the potential of film mulching for vegetation restoration in such environments and plant growth and nutrients in artificial soil on slopes in high altitude areas were determined. Experiments were carried out in Jiuzhaigou County, Sichuan Province, to determine plant growth and nutrients in artificial soil on slopes under six different coverage rates (40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% and 90%). Results showed that in each observation period, plant height, ground diameter and contents of EN, EP and EK in the soil of the film mulching treatment were significantly higher than those of the control, while the number of plant individuals per unit area was significantly lower than that of the control. When the coverage rate was 90%, plant height, ground diameter, biomass and nutrient contents in the soil were all higher than those under the other five treatments. Overall, our study suggested that applying film mulching technology when performing vegetation restoration on slopes in high altitude areas is promising, since it can promote plant growth and preserve soil fertility.

Highlights

In the process of human engineering activities, a large number of slopes are usually excavated [1,2,3]
This study aimed to investigate the effects of film mulching on plant growth and nutrients in artificial soil of slopes in high altitude areas, and to provide theoretical support for the effective guarantee of slope vegetation restoration in high altitude areas
Compared with CK, the number of plants per unit area decreased by 67.7% and 66.3% when the coverage rates were 80% and 90%, respectively

Summary

Introduction

In the process of human engineering activities, a large number of slopes are usually excavated [1,2,3]. The formation of cut slopes causes great disturbance to the ecosystem, such as the removal of natural soil, the destruction of natural vegetation and the degradation of biodiversity in mountainous areas [4,5,6]. Such disturbance is increased by additive effects in high altitude areas with a long sunshine duration, an extremely low temperature, constantly changing weather conditions, and concentrated rainfall. The ecosystem in these areas is very fragile and difficult to recover once damaged [7]. With a growing awareness of environmental protection, the vegetation recovery of rocky slopes has been increasingly discussed, and it is urgent to take appropriate measures to repair these excavated slopes [10]

Objectives

Methods

Results