Objective The effects of herbaceous plant root systems with different restoration durations in open-pit waste dumps on soil aggregate stability and erosion resistance were investigated in order to provide a scientific basis for ecological restoration and assessment of soil and water conservation benefits in mining areas. MethodsFestuca elata and Medicago sativa were selected as the study subjects, with fallow grassland serving as the control. The Le_Bissonna method was applied to simulate heavy rainfall-induced erosion disturbance on two herbaceous plants with different restoration durations (1, 3, 5 years) and different soil depths (0—10, 10—20, 20—30 cm). The content of aggregates with diameter R > 0.2 mm (WR>0.2), mean weight diameter (MWD), geometric mean diameter (GMD), and soil erodibility factor K were measured. The soil aggregate composition and stability of M. sativa and F. elata were analyzed, along with the relationship of root systems across different restoration durations and soil layers with soil erodibility, and the influencing factors were further explored. Results ① The root area ratio (RAR) of 5-year-old M. sativa in the surface soil layer (0—10 cm) increased by 16.03 times compared with 1-year-old plants, while that of F. elata increased by 5.6 times. Furthermore, the increase in root biomass density (RMD) of M. sativa in the deep soil layer (20—30 cm) (16.56 times) was higher than that of F. elata (5.5 times). ② Under the influence of root systems of the two vegetation types, soil aggregate stability indicators MWD and GMD under the rapid wetting (FW) disturbance mode of different restoration years generally followed the order: 5 years > 3 years > 1 year > fallow grassland. At different soil depths, the order was 0—10 cm > 10—20 cm > 20—30 cm. Conversely, the soil erodibility factor K exhibited the opposite trend. ③ For the WR>0.2 indicator reflecting the proportion of large aggregates, the WR>0.2 value in the 20—30 cm soil layer after 5 years of M. sativa root growth increased by 25.46% and 7.93% compared with 1-year-old and 3-year-old plants, respectively. In contrast, only a slight increase in the proportion of large aggregates was observed within the 0—10 cm soil layer in the root growth zone of F. elata. Conclusion For shallow soil layers of dump slopes with near-reconstructed properties, the soil aggregate stability indicators WR>0.2, MWD, and GMD in the growth zone of taproot-type M. sativa show significantly stronger correlations with RAR than those of fibrous-rooted F. elata. The roots of M. sativa facilitate the formation of large aggregates and enhance the stability of deep soil, while F. elata reduces the dispersion of aggregate particles through dense fibrous roots in the surface layer that physically entangle, resulting in stronger erosion resistance of surface soil than M. sativa.
文献参数: 段旭, 王崇宵, 陈创创, 等.排土场典型植被恢复过程对土壤可蚀性的影响[J].水土保持通报,2026,46(3):126-136. Citation:Duan Xu, Wang Chongxiao, Chen Chuangchuang, et al. Effects of typical vegetation restoration on soil erodibility at waste dumps [J]. Bulletin of Soil and Water Conservation,2026,46(3):126-136.
LiZhongkai, LiXiaoyan, ZhouSha, et al. A comprehensive review on coupled processes and mechanisms of soil-vegetation-hydrology,and recent research advances [J]. Scientia Sinica (Terrae), 2022,52(11):2105-2138.
[5]
TisdallJ M, OadesJ M. Organic matter and water-stable aggregates in soils [J]. Journal of Soil Science, 1982,33(2):141-163.
GuoLiming, ChenYulin, ZhouBiqing, et al. Effect of pig manure combined with chemical fertilizer on soil properties and aggregate organic carbon distribution on eroded forest lands [J]. Fujian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2021,36(9):1092-1099.
[8]
张科利,彭文英,杨红丽.中国土壤可蚀性值及其估算[J].土壤学报,2007,44(1):7-13.
[9]
ZhangKeli, PengWenying, YangHongli. Soil erodibility and its estimation for agricultural soil in China [J]. Acta Pedologica Sinica, 2007,44(1):7-13.
[10]
NciizahA D, WakindikiI I C. Physical indicators of soil erosion,aggregate stability and erodibility [J]. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 2015,61(6):827-842.
FengQiang, ZhangXiao, DuanBaoling. Relation between soil erosion and two kinds of soil aggregate stability indices based on wet sieving and water-drop method [J] .Journal of Shanxi Agricultural Sciences, 2016,44(7):965-971.
MaHaixia, LiuXiaorong, YuHaixia, et al. Study on the erosion resistance of soil aggregates in the loess hilly and gully region [J]. Soil and Water Conservation in China, 2025(3):82-86.
[15]
LacombeG, ValentinC, SounyafongP, et al. Linking crop structure,throughfall,soil surface conditions,runoff and soil detachment: 10 land uses analyzed in northern Laos [J]. Science of the Total Environment, 2018,616:1330-1338.
[16]
LiQiang, LiuGuobin, ZhangZheng, et al. Relative contribution of root physical enlacing and biochemistrical exudates to soil erosion resistance in the loess soil [J]. Catena, 2017,153:61-65.
SongRi, LiuLi, MaLiyan, et al. Effect of crop root exudates on the size and stability of soil aggregate [J]. Journal of Nanjing Agricultural University, 2009,32(3):93-97.
[19]
BengoughA G. Water dynamics of the root zone: Rhizosphere biophysics and its control on soil hydrology [J]. Vadose Zone Journal, 2012,11(2):vzj2011.0111.
YangChenggaoge, LeiShaohua, GengRen, et al. Seasonal variation of soil aggregate stability of typical yellow brown soil in grasslands with different root structures [J]. Research of Soil and Water Conservation, 2025,32(1):66-72.
[22]
WangBing, ZhangGuanghui, YangYanfen, et al. Response of soil detachment capacity to plant root and soil properties in typical grasslands on the Loess Plateau [J]. Agriculture,Ecosystems & Environment, 2018,266:68-75.
[23]
LiYunpeng, WangYunqi, MaChao, et al. Influence of the spatial layout of plant roots on slope stability [J]. Ecological Engineering, 2016,91:477-486.
QinJiahui, ChengLiang, CaoDanni, et al. Effects of root system of two herbs on soil erodibility [J]. Research of Soil and Water Conservation, 2019,26(2):55-61.
ChengLiang, ZhanHaige, GuoZhonglu. Root system responses of three herbs to soil anti-erodibility [J]. Pratacultural Science, 2019,36(2):284-294.
[28]
HudekC, StanchiS, D’AmicoM, et al. Quantifying the contribution of the root system of alpine vegetation in the soil aggregate stability of moraine [J]. International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 2017,5(1):36-42.
[29]
AnShaoshan, DarbouxF, ChengMan. Revegetation as an efficient means of increasing soil aggregate stability on the Loess Plateau (China) [J]. Geoderma, 2013,209:75-85.
HanJindan, BiHuaxing, ZhaoDanyang, et al. Effects of the age of Robinia pseudoacacia on soil aggregate stability and soil erodibility [J]. Research of Soil and Water Conservation, 2025,32(5):1-10.
WanHaixia, MaFan, XuHao, et al. Relationship between vertical distribution characteristics of roots and soil aggregates in typical herb communities in loess area of southern Ningxia [J]. Research of Soil and Water Conservation, 2019,26(6):80-86.
LiJianxing, HeBinghui, ChenYun, et al. Root distribution features of typical herb plants for slope protection and their effects on soil shear strength [J]. Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering, 2013,29(10):144-152.
ZhangQindi, LiuJianrong, YangLei, et al. Effect of vegetation restoration on stability and erosion resistance of soil aggregates in semi-arid loess region [J]. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2022,42(22):9057-9068.
LiuLei, AnShaoshan, HuangHuawei. Application of Le Bissonnais method to study soil aggregate stability under different vegetaion on the Loess Plateau [J]. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2013,33(20):6670-6680.
ChenGuojing, CaiJinjun, MaFan, et al. Effects of typical forest and grass vegetation structure on soil water-stable aggregates in hilly Loess Plateau of Ningxia [J]. Research of Soil and Water Conservation, 2018,25(5):49-53.
WeiLanying, ShangguanZhouping. Relationship between vertical distribution of fine root in different successional stages of herbaceous vegetation and soil environment in Loess Plateau [J]. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2006,26(11):3740-3748.
ZhuangZheng, ZhangYun, ZhangYing, et al. Study on distribution characteristics and stability of soil aggregate in Chinese fir plantation at different developmental stages [J]. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 2017,31(6):183-188.
ZhaoShiwei, SuJing, WuJinshui, et al. Changes of soil aggregate organic carbon during process of vegetation restoration in Ziwuling [J]. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 2006,20(3):114-117.
ZhaoShiwei, SuJing, YangYonghui, et al. Influence of the soil structure in Loess Hilly Region of southern Ningxia under different man-made vegetation [J]. Research of Soil and Water Conservation, 2005,12(3):27-28.
LiuJunyang, ZhouZhengchao, SuXuemeng. Spatial and temporal differences in soil erodibility influenced by typical herb roots on the Loess Plateau [J]. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2025,45(10):4855-4866.
ZhuZhihao, MengChen, WangXing, et al. Geometric distribution,formation,and topological structure of soil aggregates after introduction of Caragana korshinskii on the desert steppe [J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2023,32(11):53-64.