The effect of Elymus nutans sowing density on soil reinforcement and slope stabilization properties of vegetation–concrete structures

作者：Xiangqian Tan, Yongwen Huang, Danwei Xiong, Kun Lv, Fangqing Chen · 发表于：Scientific Reports · 年份：2020 · DOI：10.1038/s41598-020-77407-1 · 被引用次数：24 · 研究领域：Tree Root and Stability Studies、Seedling growth and survival studies、Soil Mechanics and Vehicle Dynamics

Abstract Elymus nutans is an herbaceous plant that can be used to restore degraded alpine and subalpine ecosystems. Here, we evaluated how sowing density affects soil reinforcement and slope stabilization properties of vegetation–concrete structures. To investigate the optimal sowing density of E. nutans in vegetation–concrete applications for slope protection, six experimental treatments were established with different plant densities: control, I (1100 seeds/m2), II (2200 seeds/m2), III (3300 seeds/m2), IV (4400 seeds/m2), and V (5500 seeds/m2). Several parameters of plant growth in addition to soil reinforcement and slope stabilization properties were measured in each treatment, as well as the associations among parameters. As density increased, aboveground biomass continually increased, and plant heights, root surface areas, root lengths, and underground biomass all first increased and then decreased. In contrast, tiller numbers and the average root diameter gradually decreased with increasing density. Increased density also resulted in increased maximum water interception levels by aboveground stems and leaves. The maximum water interception by the aboveground stems and leaves was 41.75% greater in the highest density treatment (V) compared to the lowest density treatment (I). However, the enhancement of erosion resistance and soil shear strength first increased and then decreased as density increased, with maximal values observed in the medium-high density treatment (IV)...