The root reinforcement on the slope under the condition of colonization of various herbaceous plants

Abstract

This study assessed root reinforcement on slopes influenced by various herbaceous species. The study examined the distribution, structural traits of these species, and their root systems, as well as their biomass. We established a quantitative model for evaluating root reinforcement at the soil interface influenced by different herbaceous colonizers. The focus was on a mining environment, specifically measuring root reinforcement at a dumpsite slope. The results showed that the herbaceous plants in the dumpsite included Candian fleabane (Conyza canadensis), Annual bluegrass (Poa annua), and Suaeda (Suaeda glauca), and the weights of the three herbaceous plants in descending order were Annual bluegrass, Candian fleabane, and Suaeda. Notably, the tensile strength of annual bluegrass roots peaked when diameters were less than 0.4 mm. Statistical analysis revealed significant variations in root tensile strength (p < 0.05, ANCOVA), root area ratio, and reinforcement (average values from 0 to 10 cm, p < 0.05, ANOVA) among the species. Canadian fleabane demonstrated the greatest root area ratio and reinforcement throughout the soil profiles. The integration of these herbaceous species increased the surface layer's stability of the slope by 21.6 % and marginally expanded the cross-sectional area of the landslide mass.

Keywords

• Root reinforcement
• Herbaceous plants
• Colonization
• Slope stability
• Shallow landslide