[Construction and application of a new index for quantifying root erosion resistance: Root framework erosion...

The matching of root system is a key factor driving the resistance of plant community to soil erosion. In this study, Amoeba graphical method was used to establish a root framework erosion resistance index (ERI_rf, %) from three dimensions of root morphology, quantity and spatial concerns to quantify the effective of root erosion resistance by plant community. We analyzed root growth characteristics of plant community from abandoned land, Caragana korshinskii and Robinia pseudoacacia communities in loess hilly area. The results showed that the parameters of constructing the root framework erosion resistance index included the acting coefficient of root framework (α), root density (R_b, kg·m^-3), root framework degree (S), soil bulk density (ρ, g·cm^-3), and soil and water conservation coefficient (φ). The equation could be expressed as ERI_rf=α×R_d×S×φρ×100%. This root framework erosion resistance index well represented the erosion resistance effects of plant root system. Logarithmic function could better fit the relationship between soil erosion resis-tance ability and root framework erosion resistance index. Our findings would provide scientific reference for the construction of anti-erosion vegetation community and assessment of ecological construction.