Effects of Micro-Topography on Soil Nutrients and Plant Diversity of Artificial Shrub Forest in the Mu Us Sandy Land

In ecological restoration of arid/semi-arid sandy lands, micro-topographic variations and artificial shrub arrangement synergistically drive vegetation recovery and soil quality improvement. As a typical fragile ecosystem in northern China, the Mu Us Sandy Land has long suffered wind erosion, desert...

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Main Authors: Kai Zhao, Long Hai, Fucang Qin, Lei Liu, Guangyu Hong, Zihao Li, Long Li, Yongjie Yue, Xiaoyu Dong, Rong He, Dongming Shi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/14/2163
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author Kai Zhao
Long Hai
Fucang Qin
Lei Liu
Guangyu Hong
Zihao Li
Long Li
Yongjie Yue
Xiaoyu Dong
Rong He
Dongming Shi
author_facet Kai Zhao
Long Hai
Fucang Qin
Lei Liu
Guangyu Hong
Zihao Li
Long Li
Yongjie Yue
Xiaoyu Dong
Rong He
Dongming Shi
author_sort Kai Zhao
collection DOAJ
description In ecological restoration of arid/semi-arid sandy lands, micro-topographic variations and artificial shrub arrangement synergistically drive vegetation recovery and soil quality improvement. As a typical fragile ecosystem in northern China, the Mu Us Sandy Land has long suffered wind erosion, desertification, soil infertility, and vegetation degradation, demanding precise vegetation configuration for ecological rehabilitation. This study analyzed soil nutrients, plant diversity, and their correlations under various micro-topographic conditions across different types of artificial shrub plantations in the Mu Us Sandy Land. Employing one-way and two-way ANOVA, we compared the significant differences in soil nutrients and plant diversity indices among different micro-topographic conditions and shrub species. Additionally, redundancy analysis (RDA) was conducted to explore the direct and indirect relationships between micro-topography, shrub species, soil nutrients, and plant diversity. The results show the following: 1. The interdune depressions have the highest plant diversity and optimal soil nutrients, with relatively suitable pH values; the windward slopes and slope tops, due to severe wind erosion, have poor soil nutrients, high pH values, and the lowest plant diversity. Both micro-topography and vegetation can significantly affect soil nutrients and plant diversity (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and vegetation has a greater impact on soil nutrients. 2. The correlation between surface soil nutrients and plant diversity is the strongest, and the correlation weakens with increasing soil depth; under different micro-topographic conditions, the influence of soil nutrients on plant diversity varies. 3. In sandy land ecological restoration, a “vegetation type + terrain matching” strategy should be implemented, combining the characteristics of micro-topography and the ecological functions of shrubs for precise configuration, such as planting <i>Corethrodendron fruticosum</i> on windward slopes and slope tops to rapidly replenish nutrients, promoting <i>Salix psammophila</i> and mixed plantation in interdune depressions and leeward slopes to accumulate organic matter, and prioritizing <i>Amorpha fruticosa</i> in areas requiring soil pH adjustment. This study provides a scientific basis and management insights for the ecological restoration and vegetation configuration of the Mu Us Sandy Land.
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spelling doaj-art-1bc93a8b1db5418f95c1b45af81f116c2025-07-25T13:34:23ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-07-011414216310.3390/plants14142163Effects of Micro-Topography on Soil Nutrients and Plant Diversity of Artificial Shrub Forest in the Mu Us Sandy LandKai Zhao0Long Hai1Fucang Qin2Lei Liu3Guangyu Hong4Zihao Li5Long Li6Yongjie Yue7Xiaoyu Dong8Rong He9Dongming Shi10State Key Laboratory of Water Engineering Ecology and Environment in Arid Area, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010010, ChinaInner Mongolia Academy of Forestry Sciences, Hohhot 010011, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Water Engineering Ecology and Environment in Arid Area, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010010, ChinaInner Mongolia Academy of Forestry Sciences, Hohhot 010011, ChinaInner Mongolia Academy of Forestry Sciences, Hohhot 010011, ChinaInner Mongolia Academy of Forestry Sciences, Hohhot 010011, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Water Engineering Ecology and Environment in Arid Area, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010010, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010010, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Water Engineering Ecology and Environment in Arid Area, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010010, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010010, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010010, ChinaIn ecological restoration of arid/semi-arid sandy lands, micro-topographic variations and artificial shrub arrangement synergistically drive vegetation recovery and soil quality improvement. As a typical fragile ecosystem in northern China, the Mu Us Sandy Land has long suffered wind erosion, desertification, soil infertility, and vegetation degradation, demanding precise vegetation configuration for ecological rehabilitation. This study analyzed soil nutrients, plant diversity, and their correlations under various micro-topographic conditions across different types of artificial shrub plantations in the Mu Us Sandy Land. Employing one-way and two-way ANOVA, we compared the significant differences in soil nutrients and plant diversity indices among different micro-topographic conditions and shrub species. Additionally, redundancy analysis (RDA) was conducted to explore the direct and indirect relationships between micro-topography, shrub species, soil nutrients, and plant diversity. The results show the following: 1. The interdune depressions have the highest plant diversity and optimal soil nutrients, with relatively suitable pH values; the windward slopes and slope tops, due to severe wind erosion, have poor soil nutrients, high pH values, and the lowest plant diversity. Both micro-topography and vegetation can significantly affect soil nutrients and plant diversity (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and vegetation has a greater impact on soil nutrients. 2. The correlation between surface soil nutrients and plant diversity is the strongest, and the correlation weakens with increasing soil depth; under different micro-topographic conditions, the influence of soil nutrients on plant diversity varies. 3. In sandy land ecological restoration, a “vegetation type + terrain matching” strategy should be implemented, combining the characteristics of micro-topography and the ecological functions of shrubs for precise configuration, such as planting <i>Corethrodendron fruticosum</i> on windward slopes and slope tops to rapidly replenish nutrients, promoting <i>Salix psammophila</i> and mixed plantation in interdune depressions and leeward slopes to accumulate organic matter, and prioritizing <i>Amorpha fruticosa</i> in areas requiring soil pH adjustment. This study provides a scientific basis and management insights for the ecological restoration and vegetation configuration of the Mu Us Sandy Land.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/14/2163micro-topographyplantated shrublandssoil nutrientsplant diversityecological restoration strategiesMu Us Sandy Land
spellingShingle Kai Zhao
Long Hai
Fucang Qin
Lei Liu
Guangyu Hong
Zihao Li
Long Li
Yongjie Yue
Xiaoyu Dong
Rong He
Dongming Shi
Effects of Micro-Topography on Soil Nutrients and Plant Diversity of Artificial Shrub Forest in the Mu Us Sandy Land
Plants
micro-topography
plantated shrublands
soil nutrients
plant diversity
ecological restoration strategies
Mu Us Sandy Land
title Effects of Micro-Topography on Soil Nutrients and Plant Diversity of Artificial Shrub Forest in the Mu Us Sandy Land
title_full Effects of Micro-Topography on Soil Nutrients and Plant Diversity of Artificial Shrub Forest in the Mu Us Sandy Land
title_fullStr Effects of Micro-Topography on Soil Nutrients and Plant Diversity of Artificial Shrub Forest in the Mu Us Sandy Land
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Micro-Topography on Soil Nutrients and Plant Diversity of Artificial Shrub Forest in the Mu Us Sandy Land
title_short Effects of Micro-Topography on Soil Nutrients and Plant Diversity of Artificial Shrub Forest in the Mu Us Sandy Land
title_sort effects of micro topography on soil nutrients and plant diversity of artificial shrub forest in the mu us sandy land
topic micro-topography
plantated shrublands
soil nutrients
plant diversity
ecological restoration strategies
Mu Us Sandy Land
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/14/2163
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