Abstract：Background The distribution of vegetation roots on slopes is complex phenomenon. Erosion processes, strong runoff, or sediment disturbances can cause roots to be exposed, and in some cases, may even uproot plants completely, compromising their ability to effectively stabilize the soil. The phenomenon of exposed roots due to soil erosion is prevalent, especially in the Karst areas with shallow soil layer. Although exposed roots play a significant role in calculating erosion rates, their exact impact on the erosion characteristics of karst sloping land remains unclear. This limitation hinders a comprehensive understanding of erosion processes and mechanisms in this area.Methods The experiment selected the root systems of representative tree species in the research area, such as acacia and camphor trees, as the research objects. By using an excavation method to obtain coarse roots of 15-20 mm, different distribution patterns of exposed roots on the slope surfaces were established, such as parallel slope arrangement (PSA), transverse slope arrangement (TSA), cross slope arrangement (CSA), and bare slope. The artificial simulated scouring test method was utilized to measure the initial runoff production time, runoff characteristics, and sediment characteristics on the slope surface under varying test conditions. The one-way analysis of variance was used to compare the differences between the data. Results The results showed that 1) under different experimental conditions, the initial flow production time of the slopes varied, with the highest initial runoff production time on the slope surface observed in the cross slope arrangement, followed by the transverse slope arrangement, parallel slope arrangement, and bare slope. In the cross slope arrangement, the initial runoff production time exceeded 5 mins, which was 3.78 times longer than that of the bare slope, 5.62 times longer than that of the parallel slope arrangement, and 6.33 times longer than that of the transverse slope arrangement. 2) The distribution arrangements of exposed roots showed variations in surface runoff under different experimental conditions, with surface runoff being the main contributor to erosion processes, accounting for more than 80%. Surface runoff was primarily displayed as bare slope > transverse slope arrangement > cross slope arrangement > parallel slope arrangement. Subsurface runoff, on the other hand, followed a different pattern: parallel slope arrangement, transverse slope arrangement, cross slope arrangement, and bare slope. In general, subsurface runoff tended to occur more frequently along parallel slope arrangement, cross slope arrangement, transverse slope arrangement, and bare slope. 3) In the dynamic process of sediment production on the slope under different experimental conditions, there was a trend of initial increase followed by a decrease, ultimately stabilizing. The total sediment production by parallel slope arrangement was 0.31 kg, which was 1.29 times than that of transverse slope arrangement, 1.38 times than that of cross slope arrangement, and 1.41 times than that of bare slope. Conclusions The presence of exposed roots altered the initial slope production time, the runoff distribution is dominated by surface runoff, increasing the erosion process and varied depending on the distribution patterns of the exposed roots. These findings enhance our understanding of how plant roots impact slope erosion and serve as a scientific basis for designing and optimizing vegetation measures for soil and water conservation.
牟丽敏, 周娜娜, 冯娅瑛, 韩珍. 裸露根系分布影响坡面产流产沙特征研究[J]. 中国水土保持科学, 2025, 23(1): 80-89.
MOU Limin, ZHOU Nana, FENG Yaying, HAN Zhen. Effect of exposed roots distribution on characteristics of runoff and sediment along the slope. SSWC, 2025, 23(1): 80-89.
王晓燕. 黄土高原植被破坏与重建过程中土壤侵蚀强度变化[J]. 生态环境学报，2009，18（3）：1083.WANG Xiaoyan. Change of soil erosion intensity during the course of plant destruction and plant reconstruction in the Loess Plateau[J]. Ecology and Environment Sciences，2009，18（3）：1083.
[2]
朱谧远，武小飞，李晨辉，等. 黄土高原陡坡地不同植被类型及恢复过程对径流泥沙的影响[J]. 水土保持研究，2023，30（6）：57.ZHU Miyuan，WU Xiaofei，LI Chenhui，et al. Effects of different vegetation types and restoration processes on runoff and sediment on steep slopes of the Loess Plateau[J]. Research of Soil and Water Conservation，2023，30（6）：57.
[3]
MA Jianye，LI Zhanbin，SUN Baoyang，et al. Mechanism and modeling of different plant root effects on soil detachment rate[J]. Catena，2022，212：106109.
[4]
PARHIZKAR M，SHABANPOUR M，MIRALLES I，et al. Evaluating the effects of forest tree species on rill detachment capacity in a semi-arid environment[J]. Ecological Engineering，2021，161：106158.
[5]
刘均阳，周正朝，苏雪萌. 植物根系对土壤团聚体形成作用机制研究回顾[J]. 水土保持学报，2020，34（3）：267.LIU Junyang，ZHOU Zhengchao，SU Xuemeng. Review of the mechanism of root system on the formation of soil aggregates[J]. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation，2020，34（3）：267.
[6]
HAO Haoxin，CHENG Liang，GUO Zhonglu，et al. Plant community characteristics and functional traits as drivers of soil erodibility mitigation along a land degradation gradient[J]. Land Degradation & Development，2020，31（14）：1851.
[7]
BODOQUE J M，LUCÍA A，BALLESTEROS J A，et al. Measuring medium-term sheet erosion in gullies from trees：A case study using dendrogeomorphological analysis of exposed pine roots in central Iberia[J]. Geomorphology，2011，134（3/4）：417.
[8]
张雨. 基于马尾松暴露根系重建南方红壤区土壤侵蚀速率：以长汀为例[D]. 福州：福建师范大学，2017：38.ZHANG Yu. Reconstruction of soil erosion rates from exposed roots in Southeast China[D]. Fuzhou：Fujian Normal University，2017：38.
[9]
CHIRICO G B，BORGA M，TAROLLI P，et al. Role of vegetation on slope stability under transient unsaturated conditions[J]. Procedia Environmental Sciences，2013，19：932.
[10]
赵兴阳，徐向舟，蒋云钟，等. 暴雨条件下植被对黄土沟坡重力侵蚀的影响[J]. 水土保持学报，2020，34（1）：58.ZHAO Xingyang，XU Xiangzhou，JIANG Yunzhong，et al. Effects of vegetation for gravity erosion on the loess gully sidewall under the intense rainfalls[J]. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation，2020，34（1）：58.
[11]
LUO Mei，ZHOU Yunchao，WANG Keke. Soil erosion characteristics according to tree-rings in a karst area[J]. Journal of Resources and Ecology，2015，6（4）：257.
[12]
BOVI R C, CHARTIER M P, ROIG F A, et al. Dynamics of erosion processes in the tropics：a dendrogeomorphological approach in an ultisol of southeastern Brazil[J]. Plant and Soil，2019，443（1/2）：369.
[13]
HITZ O M，GÄRTNER H，HEINRICH I，et al. Application of ash （Fraxinus excelsior L. ） roots to determine erosion rates in mountain torrents[J]. catena，2008，72（2）：248.
[14]
JULA M，VOICULESCU M. Assessment of the mean erosion rate using dendrogeomorphological approaches on exposed roots along hiking and biking trails in the Bucegi Mountains，Romanian Carpathians[J]. catena，2022，217：106435.
[15]
QUERREC L，FILION L. White-tailed deer activity reconstructed from tree-rings in eastern boreal Canada[J]. Forest Ecology and Management，2008，255（1）：234.
[16]
OWCZAREK P，DAGSSON-WALDHAUSEROVA P，OPAŁA-OWCZAREK M，et al. Anatomical changes in dwarf shrub roots provide insight into aeolian erosion rates in northeastern Iceland[J]. Geoderma，2022，428：116173.
[17]
SUN Liping，WANG Xiaodan，HONG Jiangtao. Response of anatomical structures in tree roots to an erosion event on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau[J]. Geomorphology，2014，204：617.
[18]
TICHAVSKÝ R，KLUZOVÁ O，BŘEŽNÝ M，et al. Increased gully activity induced by short-term human interventions-dendrogeomorphic research based on exposed tree roots[J]. Applied Geography，2018，98：66.
[19]
MALIK I，MATYJA M. Bank erosion history of a mountain stream determined by means of anatomical changes in exposed tree roots over the last 100 years （Bílá Opava River-Czech Republic）[J]. Geomorphology，2008，98（1/2）：126.
[20]
杨秀超，方乾，尹晓爱，等. 模拟降雨条件下林木裸露根系分布方式对坡面土壤侵蚀的影响[J]. 水土保持学报，2022，36（4）：7.YANG Xiuchao，FANG Qian，YIN Xiaoai，et al. Effects of distribution patterns of tree bare roots on slope soil erosion under simulated rainfall[J]. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation，2022，36（4）：7.
[21]
HAN Zhen，YANG Xiuchao，YIN Xiaoai，et al. Effect of exposed roots on the erosion characteristics of sloped land based on close-range photogrammetry in a karst rocky desertification region[J]. Catena，2023，225：107035.
[22]
张波，谷晓平，古书鸿. 贵州省最大日降雨量时空分布及重现期估算[J]. 水土保持研究，2017，24（1）：167.ZHANG Bo，GU Xiaoping，GU Shuhong. Temporal and spatial distributions of maximum daily precipitation and recurrence periods in Guizhou province[J]. Research of Soil and Water Conservation，2017，24（1）：167.
[23]
谭红梅，贺中华，陈莉会，等. 贵州省极端降雨特征及其影响因子[J]. 山地学报，2023，41（5）：748.TAN Hongmei，HE Zhonghua，CHEN Lihui，et al. Characteristics of extreme rainfall and its influencing factors in Guizhou Province，China[J]. Mountain Research，2023，41（5）：748.
[24]
朱大运，杨倩，陈海，等. 1960-2017年贵州省不同水系降雨侵蚀力时空变异特征[J]. 水土保持通报，2021，41（1）：6.ZHU Dayun，YANG Qian，CHEN Hai，et al. Spatiotemporal variations in rainfall erosivity of different river systems in Guizhou province during 1960-2017[J]. Bulletin of Soil and Water Conservation，2021，41（1）：6.
[25]
赵志龙，罗娅，余军林，等. 贵州高原1960-2016年降水变化特征及重心转移分析[J]. 地球信息科学学报，2018，20（10）：1432.ZHAO Zhilong，LUO Ya，YU Junlin，et al. Analysis of precipitation variation characteristics and barycenter shift in Guizhou Plateau during 1960-2016[J]. Journal of Geo-Information Science，2018，20（10）：1432.
[26]
阮欧，刘绥华，杨广斌，等. 1966—2017年贵州省降雨侵蚀力的时空分布特征[J]. 水土保持通报，2020，40（3）：35.RUAN Ou，LIU Suihua，YANG Guangbin，et al. Spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of rainfall erosivity in Guizhou province during 1966-2017[J]. Bulletin of Soil and Water Conservation，2020，40（3）：35.
[27]
罗阳欢, 白慧, 陈早阳, 等. 贵州省汛期降水特征及强降水过程分型研究[J].山地气象报, 2024, 48(1): 46. LUO Yanghuan, BAI Hui, CHEN Zaoyang, et al. Characteristics of precipitation and classification of heavy precipitation processes during the rainy season in Guizhou province.[J].Joumal of Mountain Meteorology, 2024, 48(1): 46.
[28]
张小全，吴可红，MURACH D. 树木细根生产与周转研究方法评述[J]. 生态学报，2000，20（5）：875.ZHANG Xiaoquan，WU Kehong，MURACH D. A review of methods for fine-root production and turnover of trees[J]. Acta Ecologica Sinica，2000，20（5）：875.
[29]
孟书翰，厉晓峰，杨佳慧，等. 黄绵土细沟水流输沙能力对地表冲刷流量的响应[J]. 水土保持学报，2022，36（6）：63.MENG Shuhan，LI Xiaofeng，YANG Jiahui，et al. Response of sediment transport capacity of rill flow to surface scouring discharge in loess soil[J]. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation，2022，36（6）：63.
[30]
常志勇，杨以翠，卢宝鹏，等. 模拟降雨条件下坡度和降雨强度对桂南崩积体侵蚀产沙的影响[J]. 水土保持学报，2024，38（2）：118.CHANG Zhiyong，YANG Yicui，LU Baopeng，et al. Effects of slope gradient and rainfall intensity on sediment yield in the colluvial deposits of southern Guangxi under simulated rainfall[J]. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation，2024，38（2）：118.
[31]
左烽林，钟守琴，冉卓灵，等. 紫色土丘陵区新改土坡面产流产沙及水动力学参数特征[J]. 水土保持学报，2018，32（1）：59.ZUO Fenglin，ZHONG Shouqin，RAN Zhuoling，et al. Characteristics of sediment and hydrodynamic parameters of new reconstructed slope soil in the hill area with purple soils[J]. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation，2018，32（1）：59.
[32]
郭军权，王文龙. 变流量对浅沟侵蚀产沙和水动力参数的影响[J]. 中国水土保持科学，2022，20（1）：9.GUO Junquan，WANG Wenlong. Influence of variable flow on sediment yield and hydrodynamic parameters of shallow gully erosion[J]. Science of Soil and Water Conservation，2022，20（1）：9.
[33]
林庆明，丁文峰，张长伟，等. 模拟降雨条件下红壤坡面侵蚀产沙水动力学特征[J]. 水土保持通报，2019，39（2）：16.LIN Qingming，DING Wenfeng，ZHANG Changwei，et al. Hydrodynamic characteristics of runoff in red slope erosion process under simulated rainfall experiments[J]. Bulletin of Soil and Water Conservation，2019，39（2）：16.
[34]
汤珊珊，李占斌，鲁克新，等. 覆沙坡面水动力学参数与径流产沙的关系[J]. 农业工程学报，2017，33（20）：136.TANG Shanshan，LI Zhanbin，LU Kexin，et al. Relationship between hydrodynamic parameters and runoff and sediment yield on sand-covered slope in rainfall simulation study[J]. Transactions of the CSAE，2017，33（20）：136.
[35]
朱方方，秦建淼，朱美菲，等. 模拟降雨下林下覆被结构对产流产沙过程的影响[J]. 水土保持学报，2023，37（3）：10.ZHU Fangfang，QIN Jianmiao，ZHU Meifei，et al. Effect of mulch structure on runoff and sediment yield under simulation rainfall[J]. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation，2023，37（3）：10.
[36]
耿华杰，郑粉莉，赵录友，等. 降雨、汇流和坡度对黑土浅沟坡面侵蚀影响的试验研究[J]. 水土保持学报，2024，38（2）：57.GENG Huajie，ZHENG Fenli，ZHAO Luyou，et al. An experimental study on effects of rainfall，inflow and slope gradient on ephemeral gully slope erosion in Chinese Mollisol Region[J]. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation，2024，38（2）：57.
[37]
龙琪，韩剑桥，何育聪，等. 黄土坡面细沟侵蚀强度的空间分布及形态分异特征[J]. 水土保持学报，2022，36（1）：1.LONG Qi，HAN Jianqiao，HE Yucong，et al. Spatial distribution of rill erosion intensity on loess slope and its morphology differentiation characteristics[J]. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation，2022，36（1）：1.
[38]
何育聪，郑浩杰，韩剑桥. 间歇性与连续性降雨对黄土坡面细沟侵蚀影响的比较[J]. 水土保持学报，2020，34（6）：8.HE Yucong，ZHENG Haojie，HAN Jianqiao. Comparative study on the influence of intermittent and continuous rainfall on rill erosion of loess slope[J]. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation，2020，34（6）：8.
[39]
吕刚，刘雅卓，陈鸿，等. 褐土和棕壤坡耕地细沟侵蚀过程及侵蚀产沙特征[J]. 水土保持学报，2019，33（3）：64.LÜ Gang，LIU Yazhuo，CHEN Hong，et al. Rill erosion process and sediment yield characteristics in cinnamon soil and brown soil slope farmland[J]. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation，2019，33（3）：64.
2025, Vol. 23 
