The Temporal Dynamics of Cynodon Dactylon Soil - Root System in Soil Conservation and Slope Reinforcement

Abstract:

Cynodon dactylon has become a dominant riparian species in the reservoir region after the Three Gorges project was finished. In order to determine the effect of the species in soil conservation and slope reinforcement and the variation over time, the soil erosion resistance and shear strength of plants soil-root systems were tested during different seasons in a year through control experiment. Results showed that C. dactylon roots enhanced significantly soil conservation and slope reinforcement. The tensile strength of C. dactylon roots reached from 65.34 to 91.22Kpa/mm2 after three to twelve month growth, so did the soil erosion resistance coefficient from 0.34 to 0.86, shear strength from 20.82 to 25.98Kpa increasing by 39.62%, 154.90% and 24.74% respectively. We conclude that the temporal dynamics of C. dactylon roots influenced the performance of soil-root system in soil conservation and slope reinforcement.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 838-841)
• Pages: 675-679
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.838-841.675
• Online since: November 2013
• Authors: Miao Zhang*, Fang Qing Chen, Jin Xia Zhang
• Keywords: Cynodon Dactylon, Slope Reinforcement, Soil Conservation, Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Water-Level-Fluctuation Belt

References

[1] Y. Wang, Ji. Wu, H. Huang and S. Liu, Quantitative analysis of plant communities in water-level-fluctuation zone within Three Gorges Reservoir Area of Changjiang River, Journal of Wuhan Botanic Research 22(2004), 307-314. (In Chinese).

[2] F. Chen and Z. Xie, Survival and growth responses of Myricaria laxiflora seedlings to summer flooding. Aquatic Botany 90(2009), 333-338.

DOI: 10.1016/j.aquabot.2008.12.006

[3] Zhang, H. 2008. Three Gorges Reservoir Area of Chongqing basic characteristics and ecological function analysis. Yangtze River Resource and Environment 17, 374-378. (In Chinese).

[4] T.C.T. Hubble, Slope stability analysis of potential bank failure as a result of toe erosion on weir-impounded lakes: an example from the Nepean River, New South Wales Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research 55(2004), 57-65.

DOI: 10.1071/mf03003

[5] J.E. Norris, L.H. Cammeraat, A. Stokes and I. Spanos, The use of vegetation to improve slope stability, Geotechnical and Geological Engineering 24(2006), 427-428.

DOI: 10.1007/s10706-005-4164-5

[6] T.C.T. Hubblea, B.B. Dockera and I.D. Rutherfurd, The role of riparian trees in maintaining riverbank stability: A review of Australian experience and practice, Ecological Engineering 36(2010), 292-304.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2009.04.006

[7] K.M. Schmidt, J.J. Roering, J.D. Stock, W.E. Dietrich, D.R. Montgomery and T. Schaub, The variability of root cohesion as an influence on shallow landslide susceptibility in the Oregon Coast Range, Canadian Geotechnical Journal 38(2001), 995-1024.

DOI: 10.1139/t01-031

[8] S. Xu and B. Zeng, Enhancement effects of 5 flooding-tolerant species' roots on soil anti-erodibility in Three Gorges reservoir region, Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 22(2008), 13-22. (In Chinese).

[9] J. Wang, F. Ye, and F. Chen, The function of vegetation on landslide stability: the reasons caused the Qianjiangping landslide in Three Gorges Reservoir Area. 4th international yellow river forum on ecological civilization and river ethics, (II) (2009).

[10] D. Cazzuffi, A. Corneo and E. Crippa, Slope stabilization byperennial gramineae, in Southern Italy: plant growth and temporal performance. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering 24(2006), 429-447.

DOI: 10.1007/s10706-005-4144-9

[11] M. Tosi, Root tensile strength relationships and their slope stability implications of three shrub species in the Northern Apennines (Italy), Geomorphology 87(2007), 268–283.

DOI: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2006.09.019

[12] W. Liu, F. Yang, J. Wang and Y. Wang, Plant species dynamics distribution in the water-level-fluctuating zone of the main stream and bay of the Three Gorges reservoir, Journal of Wuhan Botanic Research 29(2011), 296-306. (In Chinese).

[13] Z. Lu, L. Li, H. Huang, M. Tao, Q. Zhang and M. Jiang, Preliminary effects of impounding on vegetation in drawdown zone of the Three Gorges reservoir region. Journal of Wuhan Botanic Research 27(2010), 303-314. (In Chinese).

DOI: 10.3724/sp.j.1142.2010.30303

[14] F. Chen, Y. Huang, D. Fan and Z. Xie, Ecological response of vegetative propagule of Cynodon dactylon to simulated summer flooding, Guihaia, 30(2010), 488-492. (In Chinese).

[15] W. Yang, X. Liu, L. Chen and W. Song, The construction and application of strength measurement curve of Abies fabricroot system with pull-out method, Research of Soil and Water Conservation(2007), 197-199. (In Chinese).