Background and Aims <p>Terraces on the Loess Plateau perform vital ecological roles in soil and water conservation. However, different vegetation types have created soil fissures and large pores, affecting groundwater infiltration dynamics and preferential flow characteristics. This study examines preferential flow patterns across four vegetation types in the Loess Plateau’s terraced areas, aiming to identify the main factors influencing these patterns.</p> Methods <p>The research utilized a bright blue dye as a tracer and image processing technology to analyze soil preferential flow under four different vegetation types. It also quantitatively assessed the relationship between environmental factors and preferential flow characteristics.</p> Results <p>Substrate flow depths were shallower in caragana fields and woodlands than in grasslands and potato lands. Preferential flows in caragana fields and woodlands were more differentiated, displaying tubular and patchy patterns, predominantly dominated by vertical percolation. In contrast, grasslands and potato lands mostly had lateral infiltration, with dendritic and clustered flow patterns. The depth of preferential flow varied with vegetation type: 20–50&#xa0;cm in grasslands, 20–40&#xa0;cm in woodlands, 20–60&#xa0;cm in caragana fields, and 20–60&#xa0;cm in potato lands. Maximum staining depths were 55.1&#xa0;cm, 38.5&#xa0;cm, 54.0&#xa0;cm, and 56.2&#xa0;cm, respectively. The spatial distribution of stained areas and flow paths was influenced by the distribution of plant root systems and soil properties, with soil porosity identified as the primary determinant of preferential flow.</p> Conclusions <p>Soil properties and plant, root distribution, influenced by vegetation type, are crucial in shaping preferential flow characteristics on the Loess Plateau.</p>

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Characteristics and influencing factors of loess terraces’ preferential flow under different typical vegetation cover

  • Shengnan Li,
  • Ce Zheng,
  • Ting Lu,
  • Kexin Zhou,
  • Yidong Gu,
  • Bihui Wang,
  • Yudong Lu

摘要

Background and Aims

Terraces on the Loess Plateau perform vital ecological roles in soil and water conservation. However, different vegetation types have created soil fissures and large pores, affecting groundwater infiltration dynamics and preferential flow characteristics. This study examines preferential flow patterns across four vegetation types in the Loess Plateau’s terraced areas, aiming to identify the main factors influencing these patterns.

Methods

The research utilized a bright blue dye as a tracer and image processing technology to analyze soil preferential flow under four different vegetation types. It also quantitatively assessed the relationship between environmental factors and preferential flow characteristics.

Results

Substrate flow depths were shallower in caragana fields and woodlands than in grasslands and potato lands. Preferential flows in caragana fields and woodlands were more differentiated, displaying tubular and patchy patterns, predominantly dominated by vertical percolation. In contrast, grasslands and potato lands mostly had lateral infiltration, with dendritic and clustered flow patterns. The depth of preferential flow varied with vegetation type: 20–50 cm in grasslands, 20–40 cm in woodlands, 20–60 cm in caragana fields, and 20–60 cm in potato lands. Maximum staining depths were 55.1 cm, 38.5 cm, 54.0 cm, and 56.2 cm, respectively. The spatial distribution of stained areas and flow paths was influenced by the distribution of plant root systems and soil properties, with soil porosity identified as the primary determinant of preferential flow.

Conclusions

Soil properties and plant, root distribution, influenced by vegetation type, are crucial in shaping preferential flow characteristics on the Loess Plateau.