Mechanical terracing regulates soil physicochemical properties and infiltration processes in the Loess Hilly Region of China

Abstract

The widespread adoption of large‐scale machines has led to a significant shift in terrace construction methods, transitioning from manual labor to mechanical processes. Mechanical terracing, by deeply disturbing the surface and compaction of the soil, has resulted in significant variations in both the soil physicochemical properties (SPCs) and soil infiltration properties (SIPs). However, few studies have been carried out to investigate the impact mechanisms of mechanical terracing on soils. In this study, we conducted detailed field experiments to determine the effects of mechanical terracing on SPCs and SIPs. The results showed that mechanical terracing increased soil compaction and decreased soil porosity and organic matter compared to manual terracing. Moreover, mechanical terracing had lower initial and steady infiltration rates than manual terracing (decreasing by 2.60% and 18.59%, respectively). However, initial and steady infiltration rates significantly improved compared to sloped land, increasing by 20.82% and 54.68%, respectively. The partial least squares path model indicated that bulk weight, organic matter content, and soil texture were the dominant influencing factors of SIPs. The results underscore the critical need to incorporate distinctions between various terrace construction methods into hydrological models for more accurate predictions.