Objective The formation and development of niches in collapsing walls intensify the erosion of benggang and threaten land resources and the ecological environment. Methods The spatial distribution and morphological characteristics of niches in typical benggang erosion areas were investigated to explore their distribution patterns and evolutionary process. Results 1) Niches were mainly found in the lower part of collapsing walls, accounting for 45.83%, with 90.28% developed in the sandy layer, and the angles mainly ranged from 30° to 50° (50.69%). 2) Niches showed strong variability in morphological parameters, with 90.97% of the niches having a flattening ratio greater than 0.1, primarily presenting as elliptical and extremely elliptical. 70.80% of the niches had both length-to-depth and short-to-depth ratios greater than 1, and 22.20% had a length-to-depth ratio greater than 1 and a short-to-depth ratio less than 1, reflecting that their plane morphology primarily extended vertically, and their evolutionary stage was influenced by horizontal expansion. 3) There was a highly significant positive correlation among the long axis, short axis and concavity depth of the niche (p<0.01), and the length-to-depth ratio and the short-to-depth ratio could indirectly influence each other and jointly drive the morphological development of the niche. Conclusion The study reveals the developmental characteristics and spatial distribution of niches in collapsing walls, providing a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of benggang erosion.
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