Higher plant diversity enhances soil stability in disturbed alpine ecosystems

Pohl, Mandy; Alig, Dominik; Körner, Christian; Rixen, Christian

doi:10.1007/s11104-009-9906-3

Cited by 198 publications

(158 citation statements)

References 37 publications

(60 reference statements)

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“…Because plants have specific functional traits, such as root diameter, root tensile strength, and plant height, a plant's effects on soil erosion can be directly expressed as the effects of the plant's functional traits on soil erosion. Indeed, plant functional traits have been found to significantly affect soil erosion (Burylo et al, 2012;Pohl et al, 2009). The effect of vegetation Catena 147 (2016) 632-637 diversity on soil erosion is actually the result of the effects of plant functional diversity on soil erosion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of plant diversity on soil erosion for different vegetation patterns

Hou

Wang²,

et al. 2016

CATENA

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Vegetation effectively prevents soil erosion. However the relationship between plant diversity and soil erosion remains ambiguous under various environmental conditions. To explore the role that plant diversity plays in soil erosion, this study was conducted in the Three-River-Source region, located in the hinterlands of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. After examining 99 plots within the study area, and analyzing the soil 137 Cs inventory within the plots, we found that with a greater number of plants distributed within an aggregation pattern, there was greater interception of the soil particles by the vegetation patch. This phenomenon results in a more developed vegetation patch that can support greater vegetation coverage and higher plant diversity than it previously could. Although a positive correlation exists between plant diversity and vegetation coverage, the relationship between the extent of soil erosion and plant diversity is modulated by the vegetation pattern. When plants are distributed in a relatively homogeneous pattern, vegetation coverage decreases with increasing plant diversity, which leads to increased soil erosion. When plants are distributed between a homogenous and a heterogeneous pattern, no relationship is found between plant diversity and soil erosion. With a heterogeneous plant distribution, vegetation coverage increases with plant diversity, and soil erosion is inhibited under such conditions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of plant diversity on soil erosion for different vegetation patterns

Hou

Wang²,

et al. 2016

CATENA

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“…3a) was below or within the range reported by other diversity studies focusing on grasslands (e.g. Bochet and Garcia-Fayos 2004; Kahmen et al 2005;Spehn et al 2005;Pohl et al 2009). Although plant diversity (H′) did not differ between slope strata (Table 1; Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 42%

Shallow landslides as drivers for slope ecosystem evolution and biophysical diversity

González-Ollauri

Mickovski

2017

Landslides

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Shallow landslides may be seen as local disturbances that foster the evolution of slope landscapes as part of their selfregulating capacity. Gaining insight into how slope ecosystems function and evolve could make eco-engineering interventions on slopes more successful. The objective of the present study is to detect traits of shallow landslide-triggered ecosystem evolution, self-regulation and biophysical diversity in a small-scale landslide-prone slope in Northeast Scotland. A protocol was defined to explore the emergence of landslide-driven slope habitats. This protocol studied plant diversity, species richness and plant biomass differences and their interactions with certain soil and topographic attributes at three slope strata during two consecutive growing seasons following an assemblage of shallow landslide events. Plant species and soil properties with potential as indicators of the different landslide-driven slope habitats and landscape evolution were also considered. Shallow landslides contributed to biophysical diversity and created distinct slope habitats within the landscape. Habitat differences in terms of species richness and composition were a direct consequence of the slope self-regulation. Certain plant species were found to be valid indicators of landslide-driven biophysical diversity. Soil total nitrogen and resistance to penetration were related to slope habitat and landscape evolution. As expected, plant establishment relied upon light and nitrogen trade-offs, which in turn were influenced by landscape topography. The insights derived from this study will be useful in slope restoration, particularly in harmonising effective actions with the functioning of landslide-prone ecosystems. Further research directions to clarify the observed variability and interactions are highlighted.

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“…The compacted soils under ski runs can hinder plant growth and reduce infiltration rates and water-storage capacity, which fosters soil erosion (Roux-Fouillet et al, 2011). The absence of plant cover can induce a positive feedback, which increases erosion rates (Pohl et al, 2009). Ski runs that have high proportions of bare ground are particularly prone to increases in surface runoff and further erosion during heavy rains (Wipf et al, 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%