Welcome to Acta Prataculturae Sinica ! Today is Share:

Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2024, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (1): 33-49.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2023074

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Vegetation distribution patterns and root mechanical properties of selected plant species on the Xijitan giant landslide in the upper reaches of the Yellow River

Ji-mei ZHAO1,2(), Xia-song HU3(), Jiang-tao FU4, Chang-yi LIU3, Guang-yan XING1, Fu-cheng YANG3, Pei-hao ZHANG3, Zhe ZHOU3   

  1. 1.College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry,Qinghai University,Xining 810016,China
    2.School of Mechanical Engineering,Qinghai University,Xining 810016,China
    3.Department of Geological Engineering,Qinghai University,Xining 810016,China
    4.Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences,Qinghai University,Xining 810016,China
  • Received:2023-03-07 Revised:2023-05-31 Online:2024-01-20 Published:2023-11-23
  • Contact: Xia-song HU

Abstract:

This research investigated the distribution pattern of vegetation and the root mechanical properties (tensile resistance, tensile strength) of selected plant species (Achnatherum inebriansStipa aliena and Poa crymophila) on the Xijitan giant landslide in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, and also the influence of soil nutrient status on field distribution of these species. Methodology included quadrat investigation of species distribution, root system extraction, soil sampling of 3-10 cm soil depth, and single root tensile tests. It was found that herbs were the main species sparsely mingled with shrubs. Based on redundancy analysis, soil water content (P<0.01, F=12.7), pH (P<0.05, F=8.0) and total nitrogen (P<0.05, F=4.5) were the main factors affecting the distribution of the plant communities in this area. Furthermore, tensile strength of roots of the same species was different in different growth positions, and tensile strength of roots of different species in the same position also differed. Average tensile strength and tensile resistance of single root of P. crymophila plants located in the middle of the landslide were significantly higher than those growing in the front and rear edge of the landslide. Average tensile strength and resistance of single root of the three dominant herbs located in the middle of the landslide were S. aliena (9.10 N, 80.29 MPa), P. crymophila (7.51 N, 49.78 MPa), and A. inebrians (6.69 N, 34.82 MPa), respectively. The results provide a theoretical basis and practical guidance for planting to control slope soil and water loss in shallow landslides.

Key words: the upper reaches of the Yellow River, giant landslide, Xijitan landslide, vegetation distribution, tensile resistance of single root, tensile strength of single root