Microtopographic Changes of Slopes under Different Planting Patterns and Their Responses to Rill Development in the Alpine Canyon Areas of Western Sichuan
Objective This study aimed to clarify the impacts of various planting patterns on rill morphological characteristics in sloping farmland within alpine canyon areas, and to select optimal planting patterns for enhancing soil and water conservation in the region. Methods Using bare slopes as control, we investigated four main planting configurations as the research subjects, including Zanthoxylum+Plum+Candian fleabane, Zanthoxylum+Cherry+Artemisia indica, Zanthoxylum+Green bean, and Plum+Soybean. The morphological characteristics of hillslope rills and their relationships with microtopographic alterations under different scour discharge rates (6, 10, and 14 L/min) were analyzed through in-situ runoff plot scour tests combined with the Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry. Results 1) Compared to bare slopes, the erosion area for various planting patterns ranged from 38.37% to 78.43%. Under high flow conditions (10 and 14 L/min), the fluctuation in slope roughness for different planting patterns was more pronounced compared to bare slopes (-16.49% to 11.56%). After scour analysis revealed a 0.70% to 32.07% increase in 15° to 25° microtopographic units alongside a 1.40% to 51.48% reduction in 60° to 90° steep gradient segments. 2) Planting patterns altered the confluence patterns on slopes, resulting in a ″dendritic″ runoff network with fractal characteristics. At discharge rates of 6 and 14 L/min, the fractal dimension of the Zanthoxylum +Plum+Candian fleabane pattern ranged from 1.465 to 1.476, indicating superior flow redistribution capacity and effective regulation of hillslope sediment transport dynamics. The longitudinal profiles of rills under different planting patterns exhibited a ″wide and shallow″ morphology, with the width-to-depth ratio decreasing by 25.98% to 72.79% compared to bare slopes. 3) Compared to the micro-slope direction and micro-slope, the relationship between surface roughness and rill profile morphology was more closely associated (p<0.01). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that surface roughness was the key factor driving rill development, and optimizing surface roughness could significantly reduce the risk of rill erosion. Conclusion The findings of this research can offer a theoretical foundation for rational allocation of soil and water conservation measures, as well as for effective prevention and control of soil and water loss in sloping farmland located in alpine canyon regions.
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