Vascular plants and biocrusts play crucial roles in mitigating soil erosion in the Great Wall. A research team led by Professor JIA Rongliang from the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with Professor WANG Wanfu from the Dunhuang Academy, conducted an exploratory study on the distribution patterns and synergistic effects of vascular plants and biocrusts in mitigating soil erosion on the Great Wall. 

The study was published in Science of the Total Environment. 

Researchers conducted quantitative analyses focusing on seven different micro-spatial locations of the Great Wall sites (top, east and west sides of the walls at 1/4 height, 1/2 height, and 3/4 height), including vascular plant communities and their functional composition (species diversity, functional diversity, and community-weighted means), types and coverage of biocrusts, and the degree of wall erosion.  

Researchers used the linear regression, random forest, and structural equation models to evaluate the single and combined effects of these factors on soil erosion, as well as their directions and relative importance.  

The result reveals the positive impact of the synergistic action of vascular plants and biocrusts in slowing down soil erosion on the Great Wall. 

Researchers found that there is a significant upward trend in species richness, diversity, functional richness of vascular plants, and coverage of moss crusts, all of which shows a negative correlation with the degree of wall erosion as the relative height of the walls increased.  

This suggests that higher zone of the Great Wall is conducive to the growth and colonization of vascular plants and biocrusts.  

Simultaneously, the synergistic action of these vascular plants and biocrusts effectively mitigates the erosion caused by wind and rain on the Great Wall. 

Based on the research findings, the researchers further proposed a "restoration framework" aimed at enhancing the Great Wall's resistance to erosion through the construction of biocrusts and vascular plant communities.  

This framework includes target species selection, plant community construction, biocrust inoculation, and maintenance of community stability, providing a new approach for erosion control and prevention of the Great Wall. 

Contact:    

JIA Rongliang 

e-mail: rongliangjia@163.com