Vegetation runoff and sediment reduction benefits and influential factor in the Loess Plateau of China: A meta-analysis
The Loess Plateau is one of the most severely affected regions in China by soil erosion, where vegetation restoration is the principal strategy for soil and water conservation. Runoff and sediment reduction benefits (RRB and SRB) are key indicators used to evaluate the effectiveness of vegetation me...
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Elsevier
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Ecological Indicators |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25001505 |
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| author | Mengrou Jia Cong Han Jianzhi Niu Miao Wang Linus Zhang Ronny Berndtsson |
| author_facet | Mengrou Jia Cong Han Jianzhi Niu Miao Wang Linus Zhang Ronny Berndtsson |
| author_sort | Mengrou Jia |
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| description | The Loess Plateau is one of the most severely affected regions in China by soil erosion, where vegetation restoration is the principal strategy for soil and water conservation. Runoff and sediment reduction benefits (RRB and SRB) are key indicators used to evaluate the effectiveness of vegetation measures. While numerous observational and experimental studies have explored the effects of different vegetation types and climatic factors on RRB and SRB, the spatial variability and environmental controls of these benefits in the Loess Plateau remain insufficiently understood. This meta-analysis synthesizes data from 74 published studies, compiling a total of 1,518 data points derived from three vegetation types: forest, shrubland, and grassland. It analyzes the spatial variability of RRB and SRB, along with their relationships with vegetation, climatic, and geographic factors. The results indicate that RRB and SRB are highest in shrubland and lowest in grassland, with SRB generally exceeding RRB across all vegetation types. Both RRB and SRB are influenced by various environmental factors, with mean annual precipitation and vegetation cover exerting the greatest impact. Identified thresholds indicate that especially RRB (or SRB) is maximized at a stand age of 15–20 years, on slopes of 25–30° (20–25° for SRB), or with vegetation cover of 65–70 % (55–60 % for SRB). Vegetation measures significantly enhance soil and water conservation in the Loess Plateau. However, vegetation restoration should account for regional environment and require species suited to local conditions. Additionally, maintaining plantations regularly throughout the vegetation lifecycle is essential to achieve long-term sustainable results. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ba42d1f94940458799da4d162fc35fc9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1470-160X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
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| series | Ecological Indicators |
| spelling | doaj-art-ba42d1f94940458799da4d162fc35fc92025-02-11T04:33:41ZengElsevierEcological Indicators1470-160X2025-02-01171113221Vegetation runoff and sediment reduction benefits and influential factor in the Loess Plateau of China: A meta-analysisMengrou Jia0Cong Han1Jianzhi Niu2Miao Wang3Linus Zhang4Ronny Berndtsson5School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, ChinaSchool of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, ChinaSchool of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, Beijing 100083, China; Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration on Soil and Water Conservation and Desertification Combating, Beijing 100083, China; Engineering Research Center of Forestry Ecological Engineering of Ministry of Education, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; Corresponding author.School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, ChinaDivision of Water Resources Engineering & Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies, Lund University, SE-221 00 Lund, SwedenDivision of Water Resources Engineering & Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies, Lund University, SE-221 00 Lund, SwedenThe Loess Plateau is one of the most severely affected regions in China by soil erosion, where vegetation restoration is the principal strategy for soil and water conservation. Runoff and sediment reduction benefits (RRB and SRB) are key indicators used to evaluate the effectiveness of vegetation measures. While numerous observational and experimental studies have explored the effects of different vegetation types and climatic factors on RRB and SRB, the spatial variability and environmental controls of these benefits in the Loess Plateau remain insufficiently understood. This meta-analysis synthesizes data from 74 published studies, compiling a total of 1,518 data points derived from three vegetation types: forest, shrubland, and grassland. It analyzes the spatial variability of RRB and SRB, along with their relationships with vegetation, climatic, and geographic factors. The results indicate that RRB and SRB are highest in shrubland and lowest in grassland, with SRB generally exceeding RRB across all vegetation types. Both RRB and SRB are influenced by various environmental factors, with mean annual precipitation and vegetation cover exerting the greatest impact. Identified thresholds indicate that especially RRB (or SRB) is maximized at a stand age of 15–20 years, on slopes of 25–30° (20–25° for SRB), or with vegetation cover of 65–70 % (55–60 % for SRB). Vegetation measures significantly enhance soil and water conservation in the Loess Plateau. However, vegetation restoration should account for regional environment and require species suited to local conditions. Additionally, maintaining plantations regularly throughout the vegetation lifecycle is essential to achieve long-term sustainable results.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25001505Runoff reduction benefitSediment reduction benefitVegetation restorationEnvironmental controlsThresholdLoess Plateau |
| spellingShingle | Mengrou Jia Cong Han Jianzhi Niu Miao Wang Linus Zhang Ronny Berndtsson Vegetation runoff and sediment reduction benefits and influential factor in the Loess Plateau of China: A meta-analysis Ecological Indicators Runoff reduction benefit Sediment reduction benefit Vegetation restoration Environmental controls Threshold Loess Plateau |
| title | Vegetation runoff and sediment reduction benefits and influential factor in the Loess Plateau of China: A meta-analysis |
| title_full | Vegetation runoff and sediment reduction benefits and influential factor in the Loess Plateau of China: A meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Vegetation runoff and sediment reduction benefits and influential factor in the Loess Plateau of China: A meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Vegetation runoff and sediment reduction benefits and influential factor in the Loess Plateau of China: A meta-analysis |
| title_short | Vegetation runoff and sediment reduction benefits and influential factor in the Loess Plateau of China: A meta-analysis |
| title_sort | vegetation runoff and sediment reduction benefits and influential factor in the loess plateau of china a meta analysis |
| topic | Runoff reduction benefit Sediment reduction benefit Vegetation restoration Environmental controls Threshold Loess Plateau |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25001505 |
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