Differentiation Characteristics of Soil Properties under Different Vegetation Types and Slope Positions in Water-Level Fluctuation Zone of Three Gorges Reservoir
1.Chongqing Jinfo Mountain Karst Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station,School of Geographical Sciences,Southwest University,Chongqing 400715,China
2.Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Chongqing 400714,China
3.School of Geography and Tourism,Chongqing Normal University,Chongqing 401331,China
4.Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Chengdu 610299,China
Objective To investigate the combined effects of vegetation and erosion on the differentiation of soil properties in the water-level fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir. Methods Artificially restored Cynodon dactylon and Hemarthria altissima communities and a naturally restored mixed herbaceous community were selected. Stratified soil samples were collected from different slope positions (upper slope with erosion, middle slope as transition, and lower slope with deposition). Soil aggregate composition, shear strength, and basic physicochemical properties were measured to analyze the differentiation characteristics of soil properties and identify the key influencing factors. Results 1) Artificial vegetation restoration significantly improved soil properties. The aggregate stability indicators (mean weight diameter, MWD; geometric mean diameter, GMD), shear strength indicators (cohesion, c; internal friction angle, φ), soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in Cynodon dactylon and Hemarthria altissima communities were significantly greater than those of the natural herbaceous community. 2) Erosion caused significant spatial differentiation in soil properties. Aggregates were severely fragmented and soil particles were sorted on the upper and middle slopes. The minimum values of GMD and MWD were observed on the upper and middle slopes. c reached its minimum on the middle slope, while φ on the upper slope was significantly higher than that at other slope positions. The minimum values of SOC and TN, as well as the maximum value of bulk density (BD), all occurred on the middle slope. 3) Soil physicochemical properties were significantly correlated with soil aggregate stability and shear characteristics (p<0.01). SOC, >0.25 mm aggregates, and TN were the key soil factors affecting soil aggregate stability. SOC and >0.25 mm aggregates had a significant influence on c, while soil particle size composition exerted a greater influence on φ. The improvement of soil shear strength was mainly achieved by increasing c. Conclusion Soil properties in the water-level fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir show significant spatial differentiation characteristics due to erosion, and appropriate artificial vegetation restoration can effectively improve soil structure.
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