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Growth Characteristics and Anti-Wind Erosion Ability of Three Tropical Foredune Pioneer Species for Sand Dune Stabilization

Author

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  • Jung-Tai Lee

    (Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, National Chiayi University, Chiayi 60004, Taiwan)

  • Lin-Zhi Yen

    (Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, National Chiayi University, Chiayi 60004, Taiwan)

  • Ming-Yang Chu

    (Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, National Chiayi University, Chiayi 60004, Taiwan)

  • Yu-Syuan Lin

    (Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, National Chiayi University, Chiayi 60004, Taiwan)

  • Chih-Chia Chang

    (Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, National Chiayi University, Chiayi 60004, Taiwan)

  • Ru-Sen Lin

    (Hsinchu Forest District Management Office, Forestry Bureau, Hsinchu 30046, Taiwan)

  • Kung-Hsing Chao

    (Chiayi Forest District Management Office, Forestry Bureau, Chiayi 60049, Taiwan)

  • Ming-Jen Lee

    (Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, National Chiayi University, Chiayi 60004, Taiwan)

Abstract

Rainstorms frequently cause runoff and then the runoff carries large amounts of sediments (sand, clay, and silt) from upstream and deposit them on different landforms (coast, plain, lowland, piedmont, etc.). Afterwards, monsoons and tropical cyclones often induce severe coastal erosion and dust storms in Taiwan. Ipomoea pes-caprae (a vine), Spinifex littoreus (a grass), and Vitex rotundifolia (a shrub) are indigenous foredune pioneer species. These species have the potential to restore coastal dune vegetation by controlling sand erosion and stabilizing sand dunes. However, their growth characteristics, root biomechanical traits, and anti-wind erosion abilities in sand dune environments have not been documented. In this study, the root growth characteristics of these species were examined by careful hand digging. Uprooting test and root tensile test were carried out to measure their mechanical strength, and wind tunnel (6 m × 1 m × 1.3 m, L × W × H) tests were executed to explore the anti-wind erosion ability using one-year-old seedlings. The results of root growth characteristics demonstrate that I. pes-caprae is superior to S. littoreus and V. rotundifolia . Moreover, uprooting resistance of V. rotundifolia seedlings (0.074 ± 0.032 kN) was significantly higher than that of I. pes-caprae (0.039 ± 0.015 kN) and S. littoreus (0.013 ± 0.005 kN). Root tensile strength of S. littoreus (16.68 ± 8.88 MPa) and V. rotundifolia (16.48 ± 4.37 MPa) were significantly higher than that of I. pes-caprae (6.65 ± 2.39 MPa). In addition, wind tunnel tests reveal that sand wind erosion rates for all three species decrease with increasing vegetation cover, but the anti-wind erosion ability of S. littoreus seedlings is significantly higher than I. pes-caprae and V. rotundifolia . Results of root tensile strength and anti-wind erosion ability clearly show that S. littoreus is superior to I. pes-caprae and V. rotundifolia . Taken together, our results suggest that I. pes-caprae and S. littoreus are beneficial for front line mixed planting, while V. rotundifolia is suitable for second line planting in foredune areas. These findings, along with the knowledge on adaption of foredune plants following sand accretion and erosion, provide us critical information for developing the planting strategy of foredune pioneer plants for the sustainable management of coastal foredune ecosystem.

Suggested Citation

  • Jung-Tai Lee & Lin-Zhi Yen & Ming-Yang Chu & Yu-Syuan Lin & Chih-Chia Chang & Ru-Sen Lin & Kung-Hsing Chao & Ming-Jen Lee, 2020. "Growth Characteristics and Anti-Wind Erosion Ability of Three Tropical Foredune Pioneer Species for Sand Dune Stabilization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-15, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:8:p:3353-:d:347996
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yuanjun Yang & Lihua Chen & Ning Li & Qiufen Zhang, 2016. "Effect of Root Moisture Content and Diameter on Root Tensile Properties," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(3), pages 1-17, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jung-Tai Lee & Cheng-Ying Shih & Jia-Tsung Wang & You-Hua Liang & Yu-Shan Hsu & Ming-Jen Lee, 2022. "Root Traits and Erosion Resistance of Three Endemic Grasses for Estuarine Sand Drift Control," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Jung-Tai Lee & Shun-Ming Tsai & Yu-Jie Wu & Yu-Syuan Lin & Ming-Yang Chu & Ming-Jen Lee, 2021. "Root Characteristics and Water Erosion-Reducing Ability of Alpine Silver Grass and Yushan Cane for Alpine Grassland Soil Conservation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-15, July.

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