Ecological benefit evaluation method for black soil area erosion gully engineering management

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of ecological benefit evaluation, in particular to a black soil area erosion gully engineering management ecological benefit evaluation method, which comprises the steps of research area and research method, result and analysis, discussion and conclusion. The research region and the research method comprise region research, data collection and measurement and statistical analysis, and the data collection and measurement comprise soil sampling, vegetation investigation, soil chemical indexes and meteorological and topographic indexes. The statistical analysis comprises ecological function evaluation index system construction and a cold region black soil erosion gully treatment ecological function evaluation model. The black soil area erosion gully engineering ecological management method provides a scientific monitoring tool and an effect evaluation standard for erosion gully management. According to the suggestions in future treatment projects, the soil structure is emphatically optimized, and the result is improved; the aggregate content is 0.6 mm; synergistic management of organic matters and nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients is enhanced; and implementing a differentiated and predictive management and protection strategy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ecological benefit evaluation technology, specifically a method for evaluating the ecological benefits of gully erosion engineering in black soil areas. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, engineering, biological, and integrated measures are mainly used for gully management, enhancing the ecological function of gullies through multiple approaches such as stabilizing the gully bed, improving soil structure, and restoring vegetation. The ecological function of gullies can be defined as the comprehensive attributes of the gully system, including its soil and water conservation capacity, biodiversity, and meteorological and micro-topographical characteristics. Scientifically assessing the effectiveness of gully management and revealing its ecological function restoration mechanisms is of significant strategic importance to the sustainable development of black soil regions.

[0003] In the field of ecological restoration research, a wealth of research findings have been accumulated on the impact of environmental heterogeneity regulation on ecosystem functions. Gullyon management projects create heterogeneous environments conducive to ecological restoration by altering the gully's micro-topography and hydrological processes. Studies have shown that engineering measures such as gully blocks and cascade systems can significantly alter the distribution patterns of soil moisture and nutrients in gullies, directly affecting the vegetation restoration process. However, the effects of different management models on improving ecological functions exhibit significant spatial heterogeneity. For example, while earth-rock gully blocks can quickly stabilize the gully bed, they may hinder the migration of aquatic organisms; while flexible engineering is more conducive to ecological connectivity but requires a longer period of functional stabilization. Soil, as the core carrier of nutrient cycling, requires improvements in its physicochemical properties as a foundation for ecological function restoration. Although some scholars have indicated that soil fertility in the study area still needs improvement, ecological restoration can significantly improve soil physicochemical properties and fertility. Subalpine meadow gully management influences vegetation restoration dynamics by regulating soil and water conservation functions. Different vegetation configurations exhibit significantly different responses to gully control effects: herbaceous plants can rapidly form surface cover in the initial stages of control, while deep-rooted shrubs play a more important role in medium- to long-term soil stability. Existing research largely focuses on single-indicator evaluations, such as improvements in soil erosion resistance or changes in vegetation cover, while systematic evaluations of ecological quality are relatively lacking. In particular, the synergistic mechanism between engineering structures and natural restoration after control remains unclear. Therefore, establishing a comprehensive evaluation system encompassing multiple dimensions such as soil and water conservation, biodiversity, and ecosystem services is of great value for optimizing gully control strategies in black soil regions. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for evaluating the ecological benefits of gully erosion engineering in black soil areas, in order to solve the problem of inadequate treatment methods for gully erosion areas mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a method for evaluating the ecological benefits of gully erosion engineering in black soil areas, comprising:

[0006] Study area and methodology, results and analysis, discussion and conclusions;

[0007] The research area and research methods include the research area, data collection and measurement, and statistical analysis. The data collection and measurement include soil sampling, vegetation survey, soil chemical indicators, and meteorological and topographic indicators. The statistical analysis includes the construction of an ecological function evaluation index system and an ecological function evaluation model for the treatment of black soil erosion gullies in cold regions.

[0008] The results and analyses include the weight analysis of ecological function indicators and the evaluation of ecological function in the black soil erosion gully treatment area.

[0009] The discussion includes the key drivers of ecological function restoration in black soil erosion gully treatment areas and the evaluation of ecological function restoration in black soil erosion gully treatment areas.

[0010] Preferably, the study area focuses on four typical erosion gullies in Qitaihe City, corresponding to the remediation projects between 2022 and 2025, with a total remediation area of ​​approximately 3.29 hectares. The soil sampling includes sampling methods, preservation standards, particle size classification, and shear strength.

[0011] Preferably, the vegetation survey includes quadrat setup and richness index, diversity index and Pielou evenness index of shrub and herb species, and the soil chemical indicators include measurement methods.

[0012] Preferably, the meteorological and topographic indicators include rainfall indicators and topographic measurements, and the ecological function evaluation index system is constructed based on the "Stress-State-Response" (PSR) model, which includes an evaluation system with 5 criterion layers and more than 30 indicator layers.

[0013] Preferably, the ecological function evaluation model for the treatment of black soil erosion gullies in cold regions includes determining the node domain, the classical domain and the object element to be evaluated, the game theory G1 combination weights, and the ecological function evaluation model for the treatment of black soil erosion gullies in cold regions.

[0014] Preferably, the game theory G1 combination weights include subjective weights determined by the G1 method and game theory combination weights. After the ecological function index weights of the black soil erosion gully treatment area are screened through significance tests, the weights of the 30 key ecological function indicators are finally included in the evaluation system.

[0015] Preferably, the key driving factors for the restoration of ecological function in the black soil erosion gully treatment area were identified through the construction of a comprehensive evaluation system. This system revealed that soil structure and mechanical indicators have the highest weight in the evaluation system, a finding that echoes the research of Ma et al.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0017] (1) Soil microstructure reconstruction is the basis for functional restoration; in soil chemical properties, the synergistic effect of organic matter and nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients is crucial for maintaining soil fertility; soil water holding capacity is mainly regulated by the balance of the pore system.

[0018] (2) The spatial heterogeneity of soil function requires a segmented governance strategy that strengthens structural stability in the midstream and optimizes hydrological regulation in the deep layer.

[0019] (3) The time-series effect of the treatment project is significant, and the restoration effect in the downstream area is outstanding. The research results provide a multi-scale assessment system and a theoretical basis for "segmented-phased" precise management for the treatment of erosion gullies in black soil areas.

[0020] This study innovatively constructed an ecological function evaluation system for black soil erosion gullies containing 30 key indicators, providing a scientific monitoring tool and effect evaluation standard for erosion gully management. Recommendations for future management projects include: (1) focusing on optimizing soil structure and increasing the content of <0.6 mm aggregates; (2) strengthening the synergistic management of organic matter and nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients; and (3) implementing differentiated and predictive management strategies. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a climate and environmental information map for the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the evaluation system of multiple indicator layers in this invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a hierarchy diagram of the matter elements in this invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a weighting diagram of the key ecological function indicators of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a soil function characteristic diagram of a riverbed ecosystem according to the present invention;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the ecological function evaluation results of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] One embodiment of the present invention is a method for evaluating the ecological benefits of gully erosion engineering in black soil areas.

[0029] Includes: study area and methodology, results and analysis, discussion and conclusions;

[0030] The study area and methodology included the study area, data collection and measurement, and statistical analysis. Data collection and measurement included soil sampling, vegetation surveys, soil chemical indicators, and meteorological and topographic indicators. Statistical analysis included the construction of an ecological function evaluation index system and an ecological function evaluation model for the management of erosion gullies in cold black soil regions. Organic matter was determined using the oil bath sulfuric acid dichromium oxidation method (LY / T1239-1999). Samples were processed using a benchtop powder press (model FYI-20), and total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total potassium were determined using a laser elemental spectrometer (J200L). Available nitrogen was determined using the alkaline diffusion method, and available phosphorus was determined using the acidic ammonium fluoride extraction-molybdenum antimony colorimetric method.

[0031] The results and analysis include the weight analysis of ecological function indicators in the black soil erosion gully treatment area and the evaluation of the ecological function of the black soil erosion gully treatment area.

[0032] The discussion includes the key drivers of ecological function restoration in black soil erosion gully treatment areas and the evaluation of ecological function restoration in these areas.

[0033] Furthermore, the study focused on four typical erosion gullies in Qitaihe City, corresponding to remediation projects undertaken between 2022 and 2025, with a total remediation area of ​​approximately 3.29 hectares. Soil sampling included sampling methods, preservation standards, particle size classification, and shear strength. The study area belongs to the cold-temperate continental monsoon climate zone, with an average annual precipitation of approximately 590 mm (more than 90% of which occurs from June to September) and an average annual temperature of approximately 3°C. Further climate and environmental information can be found in [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 1 .

[0034] Furthermore, the vegetation survey included quadrat setup and the richness index, diversity index, and Pielou evenness index of shrub and herbaceous species. Soil chemical indicators included measurement methods, and their calculation formulas are as follows:

[0035] S = the sum of all species within the survey plot (1)

[0036]

[0037]

[0038] Furthermore, meteorological and topographic indicators, including rainfall indicators and topographic measurements, are used to construct an ecological function evaluation index system based on the "Stress-State-Response" (PSR) model. This system comprises an evaluation framework with five criterion layers and over 30 indicator layers. (See...) Figure 2 .

[0039] Furthermore, the ecological function evaluation model for the management of black soil erosion gullies in cold regions includes determining the node domain, the classical domain and the object to be evaluated, the game theory G1 combination weights, and the ecological function evaluation model for the management of black soil erosion gullies in cold regions.

[0040] Furthermore, the game-theoretic G1 combinatorial weights include subjective weights determined by the G1 method and game-theoretic combinatorial weights. After significance testing, the weights of the ecological function indicators in the black soil erosion gully treatment area were analyzed, and the final 30 key ecological function indicators included in the evaluation system are listed below. Figure 4 Soil structure and mechanical properties had the largest weighting at 0.41. Aggregates smaller than 0.6 mm accounted for 73.13% of the total, indicating that aggregates in this size range are key indicators of soil structure and have a significant impact on the ecological function of black soil erosion gully control areas. Soil chemical properties had a total weighting of 0.25, with organic matter, total nitrogen, hydrolyzable nitrogen, and total phosphorus accounting for 64.00%, indicating that the synergistic effect of organic matter and nitrogen and phosphorus cycling is crucial for maintaining soil chemical properties and influencing their critical role in the ecological function of black soil erosion gully control areas. Soil water retention capacity had a total weighting of 0.15, with non-capillary porosity, capillary porosity, and total porosity each accounting for 33.33%, indicating that the balance of the pore system is key to maintaining soil water retention capacity. Shrub richness index accounted for 50.00% of species diversity, making it a relatively important indicator. Similarly, rainfall frequency (the number of days with rainfall exceeding 25 mm), slope, and slope position account for 64.29% of the weight of meteorological and topographic factors, which are also relatively important indicators.

[0041] In addition, this study systematically evaluated the soil functional characteristics of the ditch ecosystem based on the multi-scale weighted analysis method, see [link to study]. Figure 5 Weighted analysis at three different scales revealed the differential characteristics of soil function. At the overall ditch scale, soil shear strength, non-capillary porosity, and total porosity showed the highest weight values, at 0.11, 0.09, and 0.09, respectively. This indicates that soil structural stability and water regulation capacity are key elements of watershed ecological function. Segmented analysis of the ditch showed that soil aggregates with a particle size of 0.3 to 0.45 mm and non-capillary porosity had prominent weights, reflecting the significant impact of spatial heterogeneity on soil function. In the soil stratification weighted analysis, soil aggregates with a particle size smaller than 0.15 mm had a significantly higher weight than other indicators, suggesting that fine-particle components in deeper soils may have special hydrological regulation functions. Notably, soil chemical indicators such as organic matter (0.06) and total nitrogen (0.07) maintained relatively stable weight distributions across all levels, indicating good spatial consistency in nutrient cycling function. These results reveal that maintaining soil structural stability should be a priority at the overall scale, while segmented management should focus on the migration patterns of fine-particle materials, and stratified management strategies should emphasize the hydrological regulation function of deep soil layers.

[0042] Furthermore, by constructing a comprehensive evaluation system, the key driving factors for ecological function restoration in black soil erosion gully control areas revealed that soil structure and mechanical indicators have the highest weight in the evaluation system. This finding echoes the research of Ma et al., who found in their study of alpine meadows in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau that ecological restoration measures significantly enhanced the stability of soil aggregates, further verifying the crucial role of soil structure in ecosystem restoration. In addition, the theoretical support of Arshad and Coen indicates that the effect of soil management measures on improving soil physical quality can essentially be characterized by aggregate size distribution and stability. Particularly noteworthy is that aggregates <0.6 mm account for as much as 73.13% of the structure weight. This finding supports the "critical particle size threshold" theory proposed by Hassink et al., where fine-sized aggregates first form a stable structure through organic-mineral complexation, significantly improving soil erosion resistance; only after organic carbon saturation does organic matter begin to accumulate in large-sized aggregates. Furthermore, a favorable pore structure significantly affects soil aeration and water permeability, providing a suitable environment for root growth, enhancing vegetation's ability to absorb water and nutrients, and also contributing to increased soil microbial activity, accelerating the decomposition of organic matter and nutrient release. Notably, hydrolyzable nitrogen and total nitrogen have similar weights, suggesting that hydrolyzable nitrogen may be more indicative than total nitrogen in short-term ecological restoration. Regarding species diversity, the high weight of shrub richness highlights the special value of woody plants in gully management, which corroborates the findings of Ding Wei et al. on the slope stabilization mechanism of woody plant root networks. Simultaneously, research by Chen Jing et al. in the Northeast black soil region shows that planting native plants can significantly improve soil erosion resistance and improve aggregate structure, providing a theoretical basis for species selection for gully vegetation restoration. Gully management needs to consider the influence of local meteorological and topographical factors, especially the high weight of the frequency of heavy rainfall events, slope gradient, and slope position. Based on rainstorm forecasts, intelligent stepped-cascade systems should be deployed, combined with the terrain to set up biological embankments or infiltration retention devices, configuring flood-resistant vegetation, and establishing a monitoring network.

[0043] Determine the section domain, classical domain, and the object element to be evaluated.

[0044] For n indicators of ecological function in the black soil erosion gully control area of ​​cold regions, and based on the assessment accuracy, m evaluation standard levels are established, then the classical domain Rj and the nodal domain Rp are respectively represented as:

[0045]

[0046] In the formula, Nj (j=1,…,m) represents the j-th level of ecological function in the black soil erosion gully control area in cold regions; p represents the entire set of levels of the object to be evaluated; ci (i=1,…,24) represents the i-th indicator; V is the value of N with respect to C, i.e.<aji,bji> and<api,bpi> These represent the value ranges of the classical domain and the section domain of the index, respectively.<api,bpi> that is<aji,bji> (j=1,…,m) is the union of all ranges of the i-th index.

[0047] Based on data collected and measured in the black soil erosion gully control area of ​​the cold region, the ecological function element R0 to be evaluated is represented as:

[0048] In the formula, vi is the value of p0 with respect to ci, that is, the standardized value of the ecological function evaluation index ci for the black soil erosion gully treatment area in the cold region to be evaluated.

[0049] The idea behind combinatorial weighting in game theory is to maximize the benefits of each subjective and objective weight, seeking consistency and coordination among different weights to minimize the combined weights and the sum of the deviations of each weight. The following are the steps of combinatorial weighting:

[0050] Step 1: Calculate the weights of ecological function indicators using two methods: the G1 method and the entropy weight method. The basic weight vector set is wi = {wi1, wi2, ..., win} (i = 1, 2, ..., L). Any linear combination of the L weight vectors is:

[0051]

[0052] Step 2: Based on game theory, to achieve consistency and coordination among the weights of various indicators and minimize the deviation between w and wk, the objective function is:

[0053]

[0054] Step 3: The first derivative condition for the optimization of equation (10) is expressed by a system of equations as follows:

[0055]

[0056] Step 4: Normalize the linear combination αi to obtain the optimal combination weights:

[0057] After identifying the ecological function elements to be evaluated for the management of black soil erosion gullies in cold regions, the correlation degree Kj(vi) of the management of black soil erosion gullies in cold regions is calculated using a correlation function. The specific calculation process can be expressed as follows:

[0058]

[0059]

[0060]

[0061] In the formula, Kj(vi) represents the correlation between each evaluation index and the ecological function evaluation; ρ(vi,Vji) represents the distance between vi and the grade interval Vji, and ρ(vi,Vpi) represents the distance between vi and the entire grade interval Vpi.

[0062] The formula for calculating the comprehensive correlation degree of the object to be evaluated is:

[0063]

[0064] If the ecological function-related element p0 of the black soil erosion gully management project in the cold region to be evaluated belongs to level j0, it can be represented as:

[0065]

[0066]

[0067]

[0068] In the formula, j* represents the characteristic value of the level variable of the object element p0 to be evaluated. For example, if j0=1 and j*=1.74, then p0 can be judged to belong to the first level with a bias towards the second level. The degree to which the object element's level is biased towards another level can be determined based on the value of j*. In this paper, the object element level is divided into 4 levels, as detailed in [link to article]. Figure 3 ;

[0069] Ecological function evaluation of black soil erosion gully treatment area

[0070] according to Figure 6The ecological function evaluation results show that the overall ecological function of the four erosion gullies has been significantly improved after systematic treatment, with all reaching a good or above level, and 50% achieving an excellent level, fully demonstrating the effectiveness of the treatment project. Spatially, the treatment effect exhibits a clear vertical gradient difference, with the downstream sections generally performing better than the middle and upper sections. This may be related to the relatively stable hydrodynamic conditions downstream, which are more conducive to vegetation restoration. Particularly noteworthy are Gullies No. 1 and No. 3, which performed exceptionally well, both reaching an excellent level and forming relatively complete high-quality ecological corridors. From a temporal perspective, the treatment effectiveness shows a continuous upward trend with increasing years. The downstream section of Gully No. 4, the most recently treated gully in 2025, achieved an excellent level in the same year, while the middle section of Gully No. 1, treated earlier in 2022, also demonstrated excellent ecological function after three years of natural recovery. This temporal variation reflects both the immediate effects of the engineering measures and confirms the ecosystem's continuous recovery capacity. The specific performance of each gully after treatment was as follows: out of 12 monitoring sections, 6 reached an excellent level (50.0%), 2 were good (16.7%), and 4 were fair (33.3%). This distribution of levels provides a scientific basis for subsequent differentiated management. Overall, these results not only confirm the reliability of the current treatment technology but also provide important practical references for future gully system treatment.

[0071] Evaluation of Ecological Function Restoration in Black Soil Erosion Gully Treatment Area

[0072] After systematic engineering treatment, the ecological function of four erosion gullies has been significantly improved to a level of good or above. This result proves that the current integrated management model of "engineering measures + vegetation restoration" can effectively reverse the degradation trend of erosion gullies. In particular, the soil organic matter content increased by 32% and the vegetation coverage increased to over 73% in the excellent category. At the same time, the formation mechanism of the longitudinal gradient difference (downstream > midstream / upstream) may involve the downstream section receiving the confluence of midstream and upstream water, forming a natural nutrient enrichment zone. Monitoring data shows that the total nitrogen content of the downstream soil is 18%-25% higher than that of the upstream. The stable water conditions downstream promote the rapid establishment of pioneer species, and their root network further improves the soil structure, forming a positive cycle. The downstream of gully No. 4 reached the excellent level in the year of treatment, mainly due to the immediate erosion control effect of engineering measures such as gully shaping and biological carpet laying. The middle and lower reaches of gully No. 1 gradually improved to the excellent level from the initial treatment stage, corresponding to the succession of the plant community from a single herbaceous species to a "herbaceous-shrub" mixed species. This phenomenon verifies the key role of the ecosystem's natural recovery capacity after the start of artificial intervention. This reflects the synergistic effect of "rapid engineering response" and "slow ecological restoration".

[0073] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating the ecological benefits of gully erosion engineering projects in black soil areas, characterized in that, include: Study area and methodology, results and analysis, discussion and conclusions; The research area and research methods include the research area, data collection and measurement, and statistical analysis. The data collection and measurement include soil sampling, vegetation survey, soil chemical indicators, and meteorological and topographic indicators. The statistical analysis includes the construction of an ecological function evaluation index system and an ecological function evaluation model for the treatment of black soil erosion gullies in cold regions. The results and analyses include the weight analysis of ecological function indicators and the evaluation of ecological function in the black soil erosion gully treatment area. The discussion includes the key drivers of ecological function restoration in black soil erosion gully treatment areas and the evaluation of ecological function restoration in black soil erosion gully treatment areas.

2. The method for evaluating the ecological benefits of gully erosion engineering in black soil areas according to claim 1, characterized in that: The study area focuses on four typical erosion gullies in Qitaihe City, corresponding to the remediation projects between 2022 and 2025, with a total remediation area of ​​approximately 3.29 hectares. The soil sampling includes sampling methods, preservation standards, particle size classification, and shear strength.

3. The method for evaluating the ecological benefits of gully erosion engineering in black soil areas according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vegetation survey includes quadrat setup and richness, diversity, and Pielou evenness indices for shrub and herbaceous species, and the soil chemical indicators include measurement methods.

4. The method for evaluating the ecological benefits of gully erosion engineering in black soil areas according to claim 1, characterized in that: The meteorological and topographic indicators include rainfall indicators and topographic measurements. The ecological function evaluation index system is constructed based on the "Pressure-State-Response" (PSR) model, and includes an evaluation system with 5 criterion layers and more than 30 indicator layers.

5. The method for evaluating the ecological benefits of gully erosion engineering in black soil areas according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ecological function evaluation model for the treatment of black soil erosion gullies in cold regions includes determining the node domain, the classical domain and the object to be evaluated, the game theory G1 combination weights, and the ecological function evaluation model for the treatment of black soil erosion gullies in cold regions.

6. The method for evaluating the ecological benefits of gully erosion engineering in black soil areas according to claim 5, characterized in that: The game theory G1 combination weights include subjective weights determined by the G1 method and game theory combination weights. After the ecological function index weights of the black soil erosion gully treatment area are screened through significance tests, the weights of the 30 key ecological function indicators are finally included in the evaluation system.

7. The method for evaluating the ecological benefits of gully erosion engineering in black soil areas according to claim 2, characterized in that: The key driving factors for the restoration of ecological function in the black soil erosion gully treatment area were analyzed by constructing a comprehensive evaluation system. This system revealed that soil structure and mechanical indicators have the highest weight in the evaluation system, a finding that echoes the research of Ma et al.

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