Abstract
The importance of roots in soil conservation has long been underestimated due to a lack of sys-tematic studies conducted to evaluate root dis-tribution patterns and their effects on soil ero-sion. Current knowledge regarding root mor-phology and its impact on soil erosion by water is limited; therefore, detailed analysis of the role that root systems play in controlling soil ero-sion is needed. In this study, stratified runoff scouring at different soil depths in the field was conducted in a grassland area. The results in-dicated that both root biomass and soil wa-ter-stable aggregates decreased as soil depth increased at all three sites, while there was al-most no change in soil bulk density at 1.3g/cm3. Sediment yields under different runoff dis-charge at different sites showed similar trends, and the sediment yield increased as the soil depth increased at all three sites. Further analysis revealed that close relationships ex-isted between root biomass and the amount of water-stable aggregates and soil organic matter content, and that these factors greatly influ-enced soil erosion. Based on the data generated by the experiment, equations describing the relationship between sediment production at different soil depths and root biomass were determined.
Highlights
The Loess Plateau is one of the most eroded areas in the world, and the resistance of loess to erosion forces has attracted a great deal of attention from researchers
There was no significant difference in the root biomass at the same soil depth at different sites, indicating that root distribution was uniform at the same depth among sampling points
The soil organic matter content decreased as the soil depth increased, and there was no obvious difference in soil organic matter content in deep soil when compared at the same soil depth among sites
Summary
The Loess Plateau is one of the most eroded areas in the world, and the resistance of loess to erosion forces has attracted a great deal of attention from researchers. Many studies have investigated the effects of plant components such as leaves, stems, organic matter, roots and exudates, on soil erosion, attention has predominantly been paid to the effects of the aboveground biomass on runoff hydraulics and soil erosion [5,10,11]. Systematic root studies are lacking, primarily due to difficulties in direct observation of their effects [12]. Despite this lack of information, a few studies have verified that roots played a crucial role with respect to the effects of rainfall and runoff on soil erosion [3,4,9]. The presence of roots in soil provides mechanical reinforcement; their presence is regarded as one of the most important contributions of vegetation to soil stability [11,13,14]
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