Growth characteristics of Hippophae rhamnoides and its impact on soil and water conservation factors at northern foothills of eastern section of Qilian Mountains
Objective The growth characteristics, adaptation patterns, soil and water conservation functions, and engineering application potential of Hippophae rhamnoides at the northern foothills of the eastern section of the Qilian Mountains were clarified in order to provide a scientific basis for vegetation restoration, soil erosion control, and grazing management in the ecologically fragile areas. Methods Using a combination of quadrat survey and experimental analysis, this study systematically investigated the root suckering propagation characteristics and resistance to animal disturbance of H. rhamnoides at different ages, as well as their impact on soil water content, nutrient content, water-stable aggregate content, and root length density. For the first time, focusing on the ecologically fragile area dominated by hydraulic erosion at the northern foothills of the eastern section of the Qilian Mountains, this study quantitatively revealed the coupling relationship between root suckering propagation and resistance to animal disturbance of H. rhamnoides, clarified its enhancing effect on deep soil (20—80 cm) water content (up to 66.68%) and soil-fixing and erosion-preventing effects, and established the configuration parameters of the ‘H. rhamnoides biological fence-arbor forest belt’ composite protection system. Results ① The root suckering capacity of H. rhamnoides increased with tree age. 1—3-year-old plants mainly focused on self-growth, large-scale propagation began after 5 years. At 7 years, the density of root sucker seedlings reached 0.23 plants/m², with a plant height of 108.6 cm, and the maximum distance from the parent plant was 4.2 m. ② Resistance to animal disturbance was positively correlated with tree age and community density. The 1—7-year period was the key developmental accumulation stage. In 9th year, the community density was 2.83 plants/m² with 82% coverage, forming a physical barrier to block animal disturbance. ③ H. rhamnoides growth significantly improved soil and water conservation performance. Soil water content in 20—80 cm layer increased by 30.90%-66.68%, water-stable aggregate content (>0.25 mm) in 0—20 cm layer reached 68.3% (42.5% in the control area), and root length density (0—40 cm) reached 12.6 cm/cm³ (2.1 cm/cm³ in the control area). The rhizosphere soil of 18-year-old H. rhamnoides contained 8.69% organic matter, 0.54% total nitrogen, and 3.15 mg/100 g available phosphorus. ConclusionH. rhamnoides in the study area has strong root suckering propagation capacity, significant stage-specific resistance to animal disturbance, and remarkable soil-fixing and erosion-preventing effects, and can be used as a preferred species for vegetation restoration in soil and water conservation.
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