Objective To reveal the influence of root distribution of different vegetation types on preferential flow in karst areas. Methods This study selected typical woodland and grassland in Jianshui, Yunnan as the research objects. The preferential flow and root characteristics in woodland and grassland were compared using dye tracer experiments and quantitative analysis of root parameters. Combined with Pearson correlation analysis and stepwise multiple regression analysis, the effects of root characteristic parameters and root length densities (RLD) of various diameter classes on stained area ratio were explored. Results 1) The root distribution characteristics differed significantly between the two vegetation types of woodland and grassland. Roots with diameters of 0-3 mm were dominant in grassland, significantly more abundant than in woodland (p<0.05), while roots with diameters >4.5 mm accounted for over 24% in woodland. 2) Preferential flow characteristics showed significant differentiation. The matrix flow depth in grassland was 1.37 times that of woodland (p<0.05), yet woodland exhibited stronger preferential flow development. The coefficient of variation, length index, and preferential flow ratio in woodland were 1.26, 1.48, and 1.54 times higher than those in grassland, respectively. 3) Root characteristics made significant contributions to variations in stained area ratio, but this varied with vegetation type. In grassland, roots with 1.5 mm <d≤3 mm dominated the variation (R²=0.853), while in woodland, the 0<d≤1.5 mm diameter class was the primary driver (R²=0.758). In contrast, roots with diameters >4.5 mm had no significant effect in either vegetation type. Conclusion In the construction of water conservation forests and the design of ecological slope protection, herbaceous or shrub vegetation with a high proportion of fine roots can be prioritized as pioneer species to enhance soil infiltration and water retention capacity, thereby improving the hydrological regulation function of the overall ecosystem.
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