Delineating the dynamic interaction of vegetation and soil properties in controlling cut slope soil erosion
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2021
Abstract
The exposed environment of the cut slope due to insufficient coverage and changes in soil properties is greatly accelerating the occurrence of soil erosion. While revegetation is an alternative tool to mitigate soil erosion and provide a long-term solution for slope stability problems; the integration of vegetation and soil properties into slope erosion control, remains a challenge due to variation in plant types and site-specific slope conditions. Thus, in this study, three experimental plots were set up on the eroded cut slope: bare (control), less dense, and dense. To evaluate the interaction between vegetation and soil properties in mitigating soil erosion, the vegetated plots were grown with potential pioneers, namely Lantana camara, Melastoma malabathricum, and Bauhinia purpurea. After a two-year observation, the dense plot recorded the highest increment in soil total porosity and hydraulic conductivity by 45.8% and 73.8%, respectively, thus enhancing the infiltration capacity of the slope soil and reducing the erosion rate between 10 to 15 t h(-1) year(-1). Furthermore, L. camara in dense plot recorded the highest plant growth performance, followed by M. malabathricum, and this verifies their potential as good slope pioneers. Meanwhile, porosity, fungal/bacterial ratio, respiration, organic matter, and shoot hydraulic conductance were identified as significant parameters relevant to control erosion. In conclusion, the positive vegetation-soil interaction has shed light on slope stability, plant productivity, and most importantly erosion resistance.
Keywords
Slope stability, Soil loss, Vegetation cover, Slope revegetation, Vegetation-soil interaction
Divisions
Science
Publication Title
Applied Ecology and Environmental Research
Volume
19
Issue
4
Publisher
Corvinus Univ Budapest
Publisher Location
VILLANYI UT 29/43, BUDAPEST, H-1118, HUNGARY