The influence of Loess Tableland slope vegetation type on soil pore characteristics

Vegetation was planted on the Loess Tableland slope with the aim of solidifying the slope. The soil pore structure under the influence of vegetation can help increase rainfall infiltration and reduce water erosion hazards caused by slope runoff. In this project, four types of vegetation located on the Changwu Loess tableland slope were chosen as research objects. Undisturbed soil columns were collected from the 0 – 30 cm soil layer. Quantitative analysis of soil porosity, pore number, pore rounding rate, and pore fractal dimension was carried out using computerized tomography scanning and image-processing techniques. The main factors affecting the structure of the soil pores were analyzed in combination with the physicochemical properties of the soil layer samples. The results showed that pore size did not differ significantly between cropland and Platycladus orientalis vegetation types. Grassland and Hippophae rhamnoides roots increased porosity and pore number and reduced pore-rounding rates. Grassland and Hippophae rhamnoides vegetation types are therefore favorable for rainfall infiltration, making these the preferred choices for creating solid slopes. There was a significant (P < 0.001) or (P < 0.05) correlation among soil organic matter and clay content and pore parameters, and changes in these parameters had an important effect on soil pore characteristics.