植被与土壤侵蚀之间的关系因其重要的科学意义和实际应用价值而备受关注。大多研究集中在植被的防蚀机理与功效方面,有关土壤侵蚀对植被生长发育与恢复演替的影响及植物抵抗土壤侵蚀的特性与能力的研究国内外都较少且不系统。笔者就国内外有关土壤侵蚀对种子生产、种子流失与再分布、幼苗存活与建植、植物群落组成结构与功能、植被空间分布格局及植被恢复过程、速率与方向等方面的干扰与胁迫,以及植物在各方面所表现的抵抗土壤侵蚀特性的研究进行了总结与分析,认为只有明确了一个区域土壤侵蚀对植被恢复过程的干扰程度及不同植物抵抗土壤侵蚀所表现出的特性与能力大小,才能提出有效防治土壤侵蚀的对策。
The relationship between vegetation and soil erosion deserves more attention due to its importance to science and practical applications.While most available information is on the mechanisms and benefits of vegetation for soil erosion control,the interference of soil erosion in plant development and vegetation succession is poorly documented as is the plant's resistance to soil erosion.Soil fertility and soil water decline during the erosion process reduces seed activity and production and the seeds on the soil surface will be redistributed or lost during soil erosion.While the seeds of some species have special appendages which can help the seeds persist in the soil,seed germination and seedling establishment are the vulnerable stages in plant life.Seed germination and seedling survival are restricted when soil water and fertility are reduced during the erosion process.Simultaneously,the over land flow and sediment redistribution also affect seed germination and seedling survival thus redistribution of seeds,water and sediment will influence the distribution of seedlings and the vegetation.Plants are selected by the environments and develop with the environments,so only some species can grow in habitats stressed with serious soil erosion.Soil erosion works on the environment and different stages of the plant life.Thus the process of vegetation succession is also influenced by soil erosion.In conclusion,plant growth and development are influenced by soil erosion and may express many traits that resist soil erosion.Eroded habitats are colonized by specially adapted plants.We consider that effective soil erosion control strategies in a region can be developed,only if the level of interference of soil erosion in vegetation development and succession and the traits and capacities of different plant's resistance to erosion are fully considered.