This paper examines the effect of artificial vegetation on soil restoration in windy and sandy area, with Youyu County selected as a key region at the "Jiziwan" along the Yellow River. The comprehensive fertility and the contents of heavy metals of the soils having different artificial vegetation (Populus simonii, Larix gmelinii, Pinus tabuliformis, Pinus sylvestris var. mongholica, and Populussimonii-Hippophae rhamnoides mixed forest) at different restoration years were analyzed, with the soils from the bare land and natural grassland as references. The principal component analysis (PCA) based on the minimum data set is applied for the comprehensive evaluation of soil quality, and the results indicate that soil organic matter, total nitrogen, available nitrogen, and available phosphorus are the main limiting factors of soil fertility. The soil quality has significantly improved after the restoration with artificial vegetation. The soil with broad-leaved Populus simonii has the lowest soil quality indicators, and the mixed vegetation of Populus simonii-Hippophae rhamnoides only slightly increases the soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and moisture content. The soil quality is largely improved with the vegetation of Pinus tabuliformis, Pinus sylvestris var. mongholica, and Larix gmelinii, of which the beneficial indicators increase and the detrimental indicators decrease after the restoration with Pinus tabuliformis and Pinus sylvestris var. mongholica. The restoration with Larix gmelinii increases the beneficial indicators, but also the detrimental indicators. This study can provide a guidance for the ecological restoration in this region and similar aeolian sandy regions.
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