Soil erosion can be effectively controlled through vegetation restoration. Specifically, roots combine with soil to form a root-soil complex, which can effectively enhance soil shear strength and play a crucial role in soil reinforcement. However, the relationship between root mechanical traits and chemical compositions and shear performance and reinforcing capacity of soil is still inadequate. In this study, we determined the root chemical properties, performed root tensile tests and root-soil composite triaxial tests using two plants-one with a fibrous root system (ryegrass, Lolium perenne L.) and the other with a tap root system (alfalfa, Medicago sativa L.)-and calculated the factor of safety (FOS). The results revealed that the relationship between root diameter and tensile strength differed among different root characters. Holocellulose content and cellulose content were the main factors controlling the root tensile strength of ryegrass and alfalfa, respectively. The shear properties of the root-soil complex (cohesion (c) and internal friction angle (phi)) are correlated with soil water content (SWC) and root mass density (RMD). Root traits had a more substantial effect on c than phi, with significant differences in c between ryegrass and alfalfa at 7 % and 11 % SWC. The root-soil complex had an optimum RMD, and the maximum increase rates of c were 80.57 % and 34.4 %, respectively. Along slopes, sliding first occurs at the foot of the slope, thus demanding emphasis on protection and reinforcement. On steep gradients with low SWC, ryegrass strongly contributes to soil reinforcement, whereas alfalfa is more effective on gentle gradients with high SWC. The results provide scientific references for species selection for vegetation restoration in the Loess Plateau and a deeper understanding of the mechanical mechanism of soil reinforcement by roots.

Biological soil crusts (BSCs; biocrusts) are well developed in drylands, which are crucial to the stability and resilience of dryland ecosystems. In the southeastern Gurbantunggut Desert, a typical sandy desert in the middle part of central Asia, engineering development has an increasing negative impact on ecosystems. Fortunately, ecological restoration measures are being implemented, but the exact effect on soil quality is still unclear. In artificial sand-fixing sites on reshaped dunes along the west-east desert road, a total of 80 quadrats (1 m x 1 m) of reed checkerboards after the implementation of sand-fixing measures for 10 years were investigated to determine the BSC development status and soil properties. The algal and lichen crusts accounted for 48.75 % and 26.25 % of the total quadrat number, respectively, indicating an obvious recovery effect of BSC (only 25 % for bare sand). The developmental level of BSC gradually increased from the top to the bottom of the dunes (Li 0 -> Li 6),which was consistent with the distribution pattern of BSCs on natural dunes. Compared with bare sand, the soil organic carbon (13.85 % and 23.07 % increases), total nitrogen (12.55 % and 23.95 % increases), total potassium (9.30 % and 8.24 % increases), and available nitrogen (23.97 % and 61.41 % increases) contents of algal and lichen crusts were significantly increased, and lichen crusts had markedly higher increase effect than algal crusts. The BSC development markedly reduced soil pH (0.49 % and 0.50 % decreased) and increased electrical conductivity(11.99 % and 10.68 % increases), resulting in improved soil microenvironment. Soil properties showed significant linear relationships with BSC development level, and an optimal fitting (R2 = 0.770 or 0.780) was detected for the soil fertility index. Based on the soil property matrix, the bare sands, algal, and lichen crusts were markedly separated along the first axis in the PCA biplot, which once again confirmed the significant positive effect of BSC recovery on soil fertility improvement. Consequently, in the early stage of sand-fixation (e.g., < = 10 years) by reed checkerboards on the damaged desert surface, BSC recovery can well promote and predict soil fertility in this area. The results provide a reliable theoretical basis for the restoration technology and scientific management of degraded sandy desert ecosystems.

In the loess tableland, gully slope instability induces severe soil erosion and land degradation, yet the synergistic effects of dominant vegetation under varying restoration modes combined with dynamic rainfall regimes and topographic variations on gully slope stabilization mechanisms remain inadequately quantified. Therefore, the dominant vegetation species under natural (NR) and artificial restoration (AR) was chosen as the object. Through field sampling, root-soil complex mechanical experiments, and numerical simulations, the protection effect of dominant vegetation under different restoration modes combination with rainfall and topographic variations was investigated. The result revealed significant differences in basic soil physical properties, root morphological characteristics, root and root-soil complex mechanical properties among five dominant vegetated plots under the different restoration modes (P < 0.05). The soil properties in the Scop plot under AR were slightly better than those in the other plots. The roots in the Spp plot developed better under NR. The shear strength of Lespedeza bicolor Turcz. was the highest under NR. The tensile strength of Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. was greatest under AR. The tensile force and tensile strength of single roots exhibited a significant positive linear correlation and a significant negative exponential correlation, with root diameter, respectively (P < 0.01). For the unstable gully slopes (F-s < 1.0), maximum displacement occurred at the slope foot, where tensile shear failure dominated, while the interior experienced compressive yielding. The grey relational analysis identified rainfall intensity as the primary destabilizing factor, followed by dominant vegetation species, slope height, and slope gradient. Notably, when rainfall intensity reaches or exceeds 0.06 m/h, or when slope height exceeds 20 m combined with long-duration rainfall, the regulatory impacts of dominant vegetation under different restoration modes on the gully slope stability are substantially diminished and become negligible. This study provides a theoretical basis for gully slope protection and ecological environmental construction in loess tableland.

Intensifying human activities have triggered significant ecological degradation, necessitating innovative approaches to ecosystem restoration. This study introduces a novel integrated methodology combining Ecological Security Patterns (ESP) and Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) to identify priority ecological restoration areas in the Hefei Metropolitan Area. By synthesizing these complementary approaches, we overcome the limitations of individual methods and establish a comprehensive framework for prioritizing ecological restoration. We construct a complex ecological network comprising 36 source areas spanning 8313.96 km2 and 92 interconnected ecological corridors extending 24,489.17 km. We have identified 73 ecological restoration nodes and 19 key restoration areas covering 544.45 km2, predominantly located at critical ecological junctions. The study categorizes restoration zones into five distinct types: river and lake wetland restoration, mine environment remediation, urban ecological landscape reconstruction, ecological corridor connectivity restoration, and soil and water conservation improvement. Combining ESP with ERA allows for the identification of regions most vulnerable to ecological damage while preserving key ecological functions and networks. Through the identification of urban ecological conflict zones, this study provides a strategic framework for enhancing ecosystem resilience and promoting sustainable urban development. This research is significant because of its potential to address the urgent need for effective ecological restoration strategies in rapidly urbanizing regions, offering a systematic approach to balance ecological preservation with urban development.

The Zhongning Grottoes, China, are one of the most important Tang Dynasty cultural sites on the Silk Road and contain numerous historical clay sculptures. Under the influence of human activities and natural weathering, the sculptures have experienced various types of damage, most significantly the extensive shedding of the outer fine clay layer, which plays a crucial role in maintaining the sculptures' overall structure. In this study, the mixture of soil, sand, and cotton fiber that was most suitable for restoring this layer was determined. The mechanical properties of fine clay layers with different sand and fiber contents were studied by shrinkage tests and soil beam bending tests. The main results were as follows: for a low sand content (0-45%), the tensile strength increased slightly with increasing fiber content. For a high sand content (>45%), the tensile strength decreased with increasing fiber content. The best effect was obtained for sand and fiber contents of 30-45% and 1-2%, respectively. The results provide a scientific basis for the restoration of clay sculptures in the Zhongning Grottoes.

The tsunami in March 2011 heavily damaged the Pinus thunbergii Parlatore erosion-control coastal forests of northeastern Japan. The restoration is in process but has been challenged by waterlogging resulting from soil compaction of artificial growth bases. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted to elucidate the waterlogging responses of two-year-old P. thunbergii seedlings in terms of waterlogging duration. Three waterlogging durations were set (7 days, 17 days, and 32 days, water table at soil surface) during August, followed by a waterlogging-free recovery period (28 days) in September. In this experiment, the responses of both above- and belowground organs during waterlogging and after the release from waterlogging were elucidated, focusing on parameters, such as transpiration and photosynthesis rates, as well as fine root growth and morphology. As a result, we found that under the conditions of our experiment, if the waterlogging duration is within 17 days, P. thunbergii seedlings can recover physiological activity in about a week; however, if the waterlogging duration is over 32 days, recovery after the release from waterlogging largely varied among seedlings. For the seedlings that could recover, recovery took at least 2 weeks, which required new fine root growth. In cases where the damage was irreversible, seedlings showed an overall decline. These results suggest that it is important to manage the waterlogging conditions so that P. thunbergii seedlings can recover without prolonged negative effects.

Indaziflam is a relatively new herbicide that kills newly germinated plants. There is interest in using indaziflam to improve rangeland restoration but applying it around the time of seeding risks damaging seeded plants. A better strategy may be using indaziflam long before seeding to deplete weed seedbanks and then seeding after it dissipates. Dissipation rates vary and are difficult to predict, so testing is needed to determine whether indaziflam remains present. The manufacturer-recommended test involves seeding small indaziflam-treated areas and then monitoring for herbicide damage. A disadvantage here is that rangeland seeding is failure-prone, so seeded species can fail to emerge whether indaziflam is present or not. Another disadvantage is that test areas cannot be reliably evaluated until many months to a year after seeding, by which time evaluations are obsolete. We sought a more reliable, rapid bioassay. We gathered soil samples from nontreated and indaziflam-treated plots in two experiments treated 565 d and 204 d earlier. In these samples in a greenhouse, we planted seeds of native grasses ( Elymus lanceolatus [Scribn. & J.G. Sm.] Gould and Pascopyrum smithii [Rydb.] & Aacute;. L & ouml;ve) and an exotic invasive grass ( Bromus japonicus Thunb.) and then measured plant responses. Plant densities and heights were similar across experiments. Indaziflam reduced native grass density 50% +/- 8%, native grass height 74% +/- 6% (mean +/- SE), and exotic grass density and height nearly 100% ( p = five nontreated and treated soil samples. In addition to greenhouses, other well-illuminated areas held at 16-24 degrees C are sufficient for testing. (c) 2025 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of The Society for Range Management.

The problem of chemical soil pollution after military actions on the territory of Ukraine is becoming quite urgent in terms of ecological risks. The aim of the article was to establish the level of ecological safety of soils after the application of biosorption technology and to substantiate its ecological and economic feasibility. Within the scope of the study, three scenarios were set to evaluate the level of ecological risk under the condition of actual complex contamination of soils with five heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Cd) - Scenario 1 and in the case of biosorption technology application for soil protection - Scenarios 2 and 3. Scenarios 2 and 3 differed in the type of substrate for anaerobic digestion (chicken manure and sewage sludge, respectively) compatible with phosphogypsum to obtain a biocomposite. Innovative approach for ecological risk assessment was improved based on the Bayes' theorem and developed set of qualitative and quantitative parameters. Based on the theoretical substantiation of the complex formation indicator and the fluorescent properties of digestate organic matter, the efficiency of heavy metal immobilisation in the soil was evaluated, which contributed to the reduction of ecological risk from moderate to low level for both scenarios. The results of the risk assessment based on Bayes' theorem showed a decrease in the level of risk from high to medium. Ecological and economic efficiency was assessed according to methodology of ecological damage after hostilities. The economically effective technology developed can be recommended for the comprehensive soil restoration scheme due to the obtained results.

Restoration of coastal dunes following tropical storm events often requires renourishment of sand substrate dredged from offshore sources, although dredging has well-described negative ecological impacts and high economic costs. As a potential solution, recycled glass sand (cullet) made from crushed glass bottles has been proposed as a potential replacement for dredging. However, glass sand substrates may have limited ability to provide support to coastal plant communities due to the absence of native soil microbial communities. To explore the potential use of glass sand as a substrate for dune plants in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, we compared the growth of Sea oats (Uniola paniculata), Beach morning-glory (Ipomoea imperati), and Railroad vine (I. pes-caprae) in glass sand to growth in live beach sand. To determine if inoculation of glass sand with native soil microbial communities improved survival, growth, and biomass production, we also tested plant growth in glass sand with native microbial amendments. Overall, we found no difference in the survival of the three dune species across three soil treatments and weak differences in plant growth and biomass production across our soil substrates. Our results suggest that glass sand substrates may be a viable option for coastal dune restoration, with limited differences between live beach sand, glass sand, and glass sand inoculated with native soil microbes. Restoration and replenishment of coastal dunes using glass sand as a substrate following tropical storms or sea-level rise may allow coastal managers to reduce the economic and ecological damage associated with offshore sediment dredging.

The idea of green mining has attracted much attention over the past decade. Accurate identification of key elements of ecological restoration in mining areas is an important prerequisite for ecosystem restoration and reconstruction and improving the quality of ecological environment. The goal of this study is to develop a five-factor index system for ecological restoration in mining areas, with the Huojitu well serving as a case study of a typical western shallow-buried high-intensity mining area in China. The factors include vegetation cove, soil, ecological landscape, land damage and site condition. An obstacle factor diagnosis model based on the coupling of obstacle degree and Shefold restriction law has been established in this research. This model is used to identify the obstacle factors and analyze the key elements of ecological restoration in the mining area. The key elements of ecological restoration are identified by combining the obstacle degree of each obstacle factor. According to the findings, out of all the areas included in the study, the one pertaining to soil conditions was the biggest at 35.29 km2, or 31.91% of the total, followed by land damage condition (21.25 km2 similar to 19.20%), site condition (19.74 km2 similar to 17.84%), vegetation cover (3.34 km2, similar to 3.02%), and ecological landscape (31.08 km2 similar to 28.03%). Based on the identification results of critical elements in mining area ecological restoration, this study proposes targeted remediation strategies and formulates corresponding site-specific rehabilitation measures to facilitate efficient ecosystem recovery in mining regions. This approach not only advances the practical implementation of ecological restoration technologies but also provides a valuable reference framework for sustainable ecosystem management in post-mining landscapes.