Coupling Effects of Terracing and Vegetation on Soil Ecosystem Multifunctionality in the Loess Plateau, China

In semi-arid and arid terrestrial ecosystems, terracing vegetation may improve soil conditions enhance habitats. Considerable recent works have focused on evaluating how affect individual ecosystem function, but none of these evaluations included multifunctionality (SEMF), which has a positive significance for optimizing management. Based the survey data six different combinations in Chinese Loess Plateau, 15 functional indicators related to fertility, nutrient transformation/cycling, water conservation were selected. The maximum conversion mean value method was employed quantify SEMF. Concerning services, capacities half-moon terraces-Pinus tabulaeformis (Ht-P. tabulaeformis) level benches-Caragana korshinskii (Lb-C. korshinskii) maintain fertility 43.25% 42.01% higher than those counter-slope terraces-Platycladus orientalis (Ct-P. orientalis). On contrary, Ct-P. showed better transformation cycling 9.23% Ht-P. tabulaeformis, therefore, we observed highest SEMF tabulaeformis. Terracing, with 29.2% explained variation, had greater influence that (12.6%), while coupling effect (37.9%) most important factor determined Thus, Lb-C. should be promoted Plateau area. results this study terms understanding interactions between terracing, vegetation, ecosystems.