1.The Research Center of Soil and Water Conservation and Ecological Environment,Chinese;Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Education,Yangling,Shaanxi 712100,China
2.Institute of Soil and;Water Conservation,Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources,Yangling,Shaanxi 712100,China
3.University of Chinese Academy of Sciences,Beijing 100049,China
4.College of Soil and Water;Conservation Science and Engineering,Northwest A&F University,Yangling,Shaanxi 712100,China
5.College of Natural Resources and Environment,Northwest A&F University,Yangling,Shaanxi 712100,China
Objective This study aims to analyze the effects of earthworms on slope erosion and the loss characteristics of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus under different rainfall intensities and slope gradients, so as to provide important theoretical support for investigating the role of macrofauna in soil erosion and nutrient migration processes. Methods Simulated rainfall experiments were conducted with three rainfall intensities (40 mm/h, 80 mm/h, and 120 mm/h) and two slope gradients (5° and 15°) to investigate the effects of earthworms on slope runoff and sediment yield processes, as well as the losses of total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in runoff under three land-use types (bare land, alfalfa field, and straw-mulched cropland). Results (1) Earthworm-inoculated treatments delayed runoff initiation and enhanced rainwater infiltration, thereby reducing surface runoff. Compared to the control, the earthworm-inoculated treatment (Mq) under 40 mm/h rainfall intensity and 5° slope exhibited a 47.6% reduction in the average runoff rate (0.011 mm/min). (2) Earthworms exerted either positive or negative effects on soil loss on slopes. Under 40 mm/h rainfall intensity and 5° slope, the earthworm-inoculated treatment (Mq) showed a 70% lower average sediment yield rate 〔0.006 g/(m² · min)〕 compared to the control. In contrast, the treatment (Lq) exhibited a 2.2-fold higher sediment yield rate 〔32.285 g/(m² · min)〕 compared to the control under 120 mm/h rainfall intensity and 15° slope. Mulching significantly mitigated soil erosion, as evidenced by the treatment (Lc) under 80 mm/h rainfall intensity and the slope of 15°, whose average sediment yield rate 〔41.579 g/(m² · min)〕 was 125 times and 8 times greater than those of Mc treatment 〔0.332 g/(m² · min)〕 and Xc treatment 〔5.231 g/(m² · min)〕, respectively. (3) The loss of TOC in runoff was primarily governed by rainfall intensity and slope gradient, with earthworms showing no significant influence. Compared with the control, the average TN loss in earthworm-inoculated treatments was 16.8% to 123% higher. Earthworm activity demonstrated a highly significant positive correlation with TP loss (p<0.01), though absolute TP loss remained low across treatments. Notably, mulched treatments showed more severe nutrient loss than bare land conditions. Conclusion Earthworm activity decreases runoff on slope but exacerbates soil loss under heavy rainfall, demonstrating significant effects on TN and TP transport in runoff, while revealing limited influence on TOC loss.
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