Interplays between plants and environmental factors determine pullout resistance on different revegetated slopes in mining areas

• Published in: Journal of environmental management 2024-02, Vol.351, p.119741-119741, Article 119741
• Main Authors: Chen, Zhang, Qiao, Oumeng, Liu, Yong, Ma, Keming, Song, Huiping, Li, Chengjun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Artificial soil; Biomass; Exposed slopes; External-soil spray seeding technique; Mining areas; Nutrients; Plant Roots; Plants; Pullout resistance; Restoration; Slope protection engineering; Soil - chemistry
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119741

Plant roots play a crucial role in enhancing soil stability and protecting slopes during ecological restoration, particularly in mining areas where external-soil spray seeding is employed. However, the relationship between plant root pullout resistance and environmental factors on different types of slopes remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the interactions between the pullout resistance of a dominant species, Artemisia gmelinii, and environmental factors on three slope types (rocky, geotechnical, and soil) using multi-group structural equation modeling. Our findings reveal that the pullout resistance of plant roots was strongly influenced by various factors, including but not limited to biological factors such as plant height and biomass. It showed a positive correlation between soil silt content and soil nutrient levels. Notably, the pullout resistance on soil slopes was significantly higher than on rocky slopes. Furthermore, the impact of soil nutrients and texture on pullout resistance was more pronounced on geotechnical and soil slopes compared to rocky slopes. Multi-group structural equation modeling highlighted that among all environmental factors, slope gradient and underground biomass had the most significant influence on pullout resistance across all slope types. Specifically, slope gradient had a greater effect on soil slopes, whereas underground biomass played a more prominent role on rocky and geotechnical slopes. Overall, our study suggests that when implementing external-soil spray seeding in mining areas, it is crucial to consider the interplay between plant roots and environmental factors, including slope properties. This holistic approach is crucial for maximizing the effectiveness of plants in slope protection during eco-engineering projects. •The pullout resistance of soil slopes was greater than that of geotechnical and rocky slopes.•Slope gradient and underground biomass had great effects on pullout resistance for all slopes.•All slopes were greatly affected by the change in topographic factors, soil nutrients, and soil texture.