Root Distribution and Soil Properties of Gully Heads and Their Effects on Headcut Migration in the Mollisols Region of Northeast China

Xingyi Zhang, Jiarui Qi, Jinzhong Xu, Pengchong Zhou, Zhuoxin Chen, Lixin Wang and Mingming Guo
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Xingyi Zhang: College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agriculture University, Harbin 150030, China
Jiarui Qi: College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agriculture University, Harbin 150030, China
Jinzhong Xu: Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Heilongjiang Province Hydraulic Research Institute, Harbin 150080, China
Pengchong Zhou: Key Laboratory of Mollisols Agroecology, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin 150081, China
Zhuoxin Chen: Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Xianyang 712100, China
Lixin Wang: College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agriculture University, Harbin 150030, China
Mingming Guo: Key Laboratory of Mollisols Agroecology, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin 150081, China

Land, 2022, vol. 11, issue 2, 1-20

Abstract: Previous studies have proved that root distribution along gully headwalls greatly alters soil properties and further affects the soil erodibility of gully heads. However, it is not clear whether the gully headcut migration is affected by root distribution and soil properties. Five representative gullies developed in different land uses were selected to clarify the variations of root distribution and soil properties and their effects on headcut migration in the rainy season (May to October 2021) in the Mollisols region of northeast China. Results showed that the 68.4%–93.3% of root mass density and 65.6–88.5% of root length density were concentrated in 0–30 cm soil layer of gully heads, and the roots of <2.0 mm accounted for >85%. The gullies developed in farmlands had relatively higher soil compactness, shear strength and aggregate stability, but lower organic matter (OMC), disintegration capacity and soil permeability than those developed in woodlands, unpaved roads in farmland and stable gully-beds. Changes in soil properties of gully heads were closely related to root density. The linear, areal, and volumetric migration rate of gully heads varied greatly and were 1.07–35.11 m yr −1 , 28.95–562.46 m 2 yr −1 and 56.82–6626.37 m 3 yr −1 , respectively, with the average of 9.07 m yr −1 , 156.92 m 2 yr −1 and 1503.02 m 3 yr −1 , respectively. The change in headcut migration rate was significantly affected by root density, soil properties and drainage area, of which soil texture, OMC, soil aggregate structure, and the drainage area were the critical factors influencing headcut migration in the Mollisols region of northeast China.

Keywords: gully erosion; land use; headcut retreat; root density; black soil region (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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