Inhibiting soil loss and runoff from small plots induced by an individual freeze-thaw cycle using three rangeland species

Abstract

This study investigated the role of three rangeland species viz. Agropyron trichophorum, Medicago sativa, and Lolium prenne on mitigating of effects of a freeze-thaw (FT) cycle on runoff generation and soil loss from small experimental plots. Small plots (0.5 × 0.5m) were prepared in three replicates for control (i.e., under a FT cycle only) and treatments (i.e., individually planted with the study species and subject to a FT cycle). The treated plots were then placed at a slope of 20% and subjected to simulated rainfall with intensity of 70 mm h−1 and 30 min duration. The results of the study showed a significant effect (P < 0.05) of the plants on controlling runoff and soil loss after a FT cycle. Also, the detrimental effects of the FT cycle due to performance of ice lenses and formation of an active melting layer in the soil surface were ameliorated by the presence of litter on the soil and root-binding effect of the plants. Time to runoff increased by 54, 111 and 10%, runoff volume decreased by 27, 68 and 0.4% and soil loss changed by −34, −62, and +6.5% in the plots planted with A. trichophorum, L. prenne and M. sativa, respectively. The results of the current study indicated that L. prenne had the maximum benefit on reducing runoff and soil loss from the plots undergoing a FT cycle.