Objective Vegetation restoration significantly influences soil detachment capacity (SDC) by altering soil properties and root characteristics. This study aims to clarify the mechanisms by which vegetation restoration influences SDC in red soil hilly regions. Methods Taking four commonly used vegetation restoration measures in the southern red soil regions as the research objects, soil scouring experiments were conducted to systematically evaluate the effects of different measures on SDC and to investigate the regulatory roles of soil properties and root characteristics on SDC. Results 1) All vegetation restoration measures increased the contents of soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and total potassium, while reducing the soil bulk density, disintegration coefficient, and SDC. 2) SDC showed significant correlations with soil water content, soil organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, available phosphorus, available potassium, pH, and root weight density. Notably, SDC was significantly positively correlated with pH (p<0.05). 3) Random forest analysis revealed significant differences in the importance of different near-surface characteristics in influencing SDC. Among them, the disintegration coefficient, root mass, and soil organic matter had relatively high weights, with a cumulative weight of 0.47. 4) Path analysis indicated that the path coefficients of the disintegration coefficient and soil organic matter with SDC were highly significant, at 0.643 and -0.552, respectively. Therefore, an estimation model for SDC was established using the disintegration coefficient and soil organic matter, demonstrating good fitting performance (R2=0.849, NSE=0.85). Conclusion Vegetation restoration measures can significantly reduce SDC in the red soil regions, with disintegration coefficient and soil organic matter identified as the optimal predictors of SDC. The findings provide theoretical guidance for SDC prediction in red soil hilly regions and offer a scientific basis for decision-making in soil erosion control.
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