Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yahan Lu, Xiubin Li, Liangjie Xin, Hengfei Song, Xue Wang
Summary: In this study, a deep learning-based model was developed to extract terraces on the Loess Plateau. The model achieved high accuracy in generating a high-resolution terrace distribution map, providing an important basis for further research on the economic and ecological value of terraces and facilitating the sustainable development of the region.
Article
Soil Science
Zhuo-Dong Jiang, Qiu-Bing Wang, Kristofor R. Brye, Kabindra Adhikari, Fu-Jun Sun, Zhong-Xiu Sun, Si Chen, Phillip R. Owens
Summary: This study developed a stereological profile imaging method for accurate estimation of rock fragment volume fraction and SOC stock in stony soil profiles. Results showed that the proposed method was reasonably accurate and stable for quantification of rock fragment number density distribution, volume fraction, and SOC stock in stony soil profiles. The differences in SOC stock assessment between different rock fragment estimation methods increased with rock fragment concentration.
Article
Agronomy
Xi Yang, Rentao Liu, Tongchuan Li, Yunchao Dai
Summary: In the Loess Plateau, the planting of Robinia pseudoacacia mainly affects soil fauna in the litter layer rather than the soil layer. The age of the forest has little effect on the soil fauna community. Litter thickness and soil total nitrogen are important determinants of the soil fauna community.
Article
Soil Science
Balin B. Robertson, Peter C. Almond, Sam T. Carrick, Veronica Penny, Andre Eger, Henry W. Chau, Carol M. S. Smith
Summary: Research indicates that rock fragments influence the bulk density, porosity, and soil chemistry of fine earth, and have water retention capabilities. Rock fragments in the size range of 2-20 mm retain more water, and at a depth of 60 cm, they account for approximately 10% of water retention at field capacity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wenzhao Guo, Hongliang Kang, Xiao Yu, Wenlong Wang, Pei Tian
Summary: This study found that embedded rock fragments can effectively reduce soil loss on steep spoil heaps. As the content of rock fragments increased, runoff intensity and runoff coefficient significantly decreased, and soil denudation rate and total soil loss also decreased.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SEDIMENT RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Nan Shen, Zhanli Wang, Qi Guo, Qingwei Zhang, Bing Wu, June Liu, Chunyan Ma, Claudio O. Delang, Fengbao Zhang
Summary: The study investigated soil detachment capacity by rill flow for five typical loess soils on the Loess Plateau of China, finding that SM sandy loess had the highest D-c value. Stream power was identified as the best hydrodynamic parameter to describe the process of soil detachment capacity by rill flow for these soils. The study revealed negative correlations between soil detachment capacity and soil cohesion and effective silt content, while positive correlations were found with effective median soil particle size and effective sand content. Multiple mathematical functions were proposed to model soil detachment capacity by rill flow for various hydraulic and soil conditions in the loess region, with high goodness of fit values.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Yaming Tang, Yinqiang Bi, Zizheng Guo, Zhengguo Li, Wei Feng, Jiayun Wang, Yane Li, Hongna Ma
Summary: This study presents a novel method for obtaining the loess structural index (LSI) using computed tomography (CT) scanning techniques and laboratory physico-mechanical tests, which is less labor-intensive compared to traditional methods. Results show that the method has wide application potential in the future.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ning Wang, Huaxing Bi, Ruidong Peng, Danyang Zhao, Zehui Liu
Summary: This study examined the soil and water conservation functions of different forest types on the Loess Plateau. The results showed that natural secondary forests outperformed planted forests in terms of water and soil conservation functions, as well as understory plant diversity and stability. Therefore, natural secondary forests are a more suitable forest type for the Loess Plateau.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ying Zheng, Ning Chen, Cankun Zhang, Xiaoxue Dong, Changming Zhao
Summary: The research reveals that the density, volume content, and surface area density of rock fragments have significant effects on soil properties and plant growth, promoting soil nutrient accumulation and plant growth, and altering plant characteristics.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Peng Shi, Zhanbin Li, Peng Li, Yan Zhang, Binbin Li
Summary: The large-scale vegetation restoration program in China's Loess Plateau has positively impacted soil organic carbon storage, soil total nitrogen storage, and soil conservation service, but has led to a decrease in soil water content. There are significant trade-offs among different types of vegetation land-use, with grassland having a greater impact on soil water content, soil organic carbon storage, and soil total nitrogen storage. Coordination of ecosystem services and the use of grassland in water limited areas are important for regional sustainable development.
NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Fang Hou, Jinhua Cheng, Ning Guan
Summary: This study investigates the influence of different-sized rock fragments on preferential flow in karst areas. The results show that coarse gravels dominate the stony soils and have a significant impact on the development of preferential flow. Additionally, there is a linear relationship between the influence of rock fragments on preferential flow and their volume fraction.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jing Cao, Yiping Chen, Yao Jiang, Jingshu Chen, Yuanyuan Zhang, Junhua Wu
Summary: The study investigated the impact of reforestation on soil moisture in the Chinese Loess Plateau. Results showed that different artificial forest species had varying effects on soil moisture content and desiccation intensity, highlighting the importance of species selection and moisture management.
Article
Forestry
Xinyue Zhang, Jinghua Huang, Jing Chen, Guoqing Li, Haoran He, Tianyuan Huang, Jianan Ding
Summary: The secondary succession of plant communities leads to significant changes in the communities of soil microbes and animals, with nematodes as the most abundant animals in soil playing a crucial role in soil biodiversity and functions. This study aimed to explore the changes in nematode diversity and community assembly during forest secondary succession and understand the contributions of different assembly processes. The results showed that plant-parasitic and bacterial-feeding nematodes were less abundant in pioneer and climax forest stages, while fungal-feeding nematodes dominated in these stages. Nematode diversity peaked in the shrub stage but decreased in the climax forest stage, and deterministic processes mainly influenced nematode community assembly in grassland and climax forest stages. Litter and root quality were found to be critical factors in regulating nematode diversity and community assembly.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Binbin Li, Guangyao Gao, Yiqi Luo, Mingxiang Xu, Guobin Liu, Bojie Fu
Summary: Afforestation in water-limited areas is more effective in carbon sequestration than natural forests, and planting density and rainfall zones should be carefully considered to avoid excessive water depletion.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Baorong Wang, Dong Liu, Jiajia Yang, Zhaolong Zhu, Frederic Darboux, Juying Jiao, Shaoshan An
Summary: The study found that vegetation type and topography significantly influence forest floor properties. Soil total nitrogen and phosphorus increased with higher litter stock, coverage, and thickness, while soil pH and bulk density decreased. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil LOC fractions also increased significantly with higher litter stock, coverage, and thickness.
