Abstract
Based on fractal theory, the fractal characteristics of soil particle size distribution (PSD) and soil water retention curve (WRC) under the five vegetation types were studied in the mountainous land of Northern China. Results showed that: (1) the fractal parameters of soil PSD and soil WRC varied greatly under each different vegetation type, with Quercus acutissima Carr. and Robina pseudoacacia Linn. mixed plantation (QRM) > Pinus thunbergii Parl. and Pistacia chinensis Bunge mixed plantation (PPM) > Pinus thunbergii Parl. (PTP) > Juglans rigia Linn. (JRL) > abandoned grassland (ABG); (2) the soil fractal dimensions of woodlands (QRM, PPM, PTP and JRL) were significantly higher than that in ABG, and mixed forests (QRM and PPM) were higher than that in pure forests (PTP and JRL); (3) the fractal dimension of soil was positively correlated with the silt and clay content but negatively correlated with the sand content; and (4) the fractal dimension of soil PSD was positively correlated with the soil WRC. These indicated that the fractal parameters of soil PSD and soil WRC could act as quantitative indices to reflect the physical properties of the soil, and could be used to describe the influences of the Return Farmland to Forests Projects on soil structure.
Highlights
The soil particles-size distribution (PSD) and the soil water retention curve (WRC) are important soil physical properties due to their influence on soil hydraulic characteristics, fertility and erosion [1,2]
Based on monofractal and multifractal theory, this study describes the fractal characteristics and correlation of the soil PSD and WRC in the five vegetation types in the mountainous land of southern Shandong province of Northern China
The ANOVA results indicated that D significantly differed across vegetation types (p < 0.05), where, according to the LSD results, QRM > PPM > Pinus thunbergii Parl. (PTP) > Juglans rigia Linn. (JRL) > abandoned grassland (ABG)
Summary
The soil particles-size distribution (PSD) and the soil water retention curve (WRC) are important soil physical properties due to their influence on soil hydraulic characteristics, fertility and erosion [1,2]. Describing the soil PSD and the soil WRC quantitatively are important for soil structure research [3]. Using the monofractal and multifractal dimension to describe soil structure, dynamics, and physical processes are becoming more popular because it provides a better understanding of soil system performance. More and more people pay attention to describing soil PSD and WRC by the fractal theory and method [4]. Since Tyler and Wheatcraft [5] proposed the fractal dimension calculation formula for the soil PSD, this fractal theory has been widely used in soil research. Wang et al [8] studied the soil fractal features to
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
