Effects of vegetation type on soil resistance to erosion: Relationship between aggregate stability and shear strength

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

FATTET, M.

Univ. Montpellier 2, Montpellier, France

FU, Y.

Chinese Academy of Science, Yunnan, Mengla, Chine

GHESTEM, M.

AgroParisTech, AMAP, Montpellier, France

MA, W.

Chinese Academy of Science, Yunnan, Mengla, Chine

FOULONNEAU, M.

Univ. Savoie, Le Bourget-du-Lac, France

NESPOULOUS, J.

Univ. Savoie, Le Bourget-du-Lac, France

LE BISSONNAIS, Y.

INRA, UMR LISAH, Montpellier, France

STOKES, A.

INRA, AMAP, Montpellier, France

Description :
The AA. investigated the effect of vegetation on both soil aggregate stability and shear strength (through direct shear tests) in former croplands converted to vegetated erosion protection areas within the context of China's sloping land conversion programme. Significant positive linear relationships were found between vegetation, soil aggregate stability and soil shear strength. Vegetation stabilised soil under different hierarchical levels of aggregate organisation, i.e. intra- and inter-aggregate. As herbaceous vegetation was more efficient than trees in improving aggregate stability, it is suggested that mixtures of different plant functional types would improve soil conservation on slopes, by reducing both surface water erosion and shallow substrate mass movement. Planting trees for cropping or logging, and removing understory vegetation is most likely detrimental to soil conservation.

Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Catena (Giessen), issn : 0341-8162, 2011, vol. 87, n°. 1, p. 60-69, nombre de pages : 10, Références bibliographiques : 1,5 p.

Date :
2011

Editeur :
Pays édition : Allemagne, Cremlingen-Destedt, Catena

Langue :
Anglais