The influence of water content on soil erosion in the desertification area of Guizhou, China

Rocky desertification of karst in Southwest China has seriously influenced the normal life of local people. Soil erosion is the key process for inducing rocky desertification. This paper analyzes the stability and variation of shear strength under different of water contents of the brownish clay soil in carbonate rock area Chenqi of Puding in Guizhou province. Results show that the cracking of brownish clay soil aggregates occurs in the early soaked stage. The lower the initial water content of soil aggregates, the faster and more completely large particles disintegrate. Stability of soil aggregates is stronger with higher water content, but the entire shear strength decreases significantly; it will collapse entirely in the rainy season. Therefore, for desertification prevention and control in carbonate rock areas, greater attention should be given to effective protection measures during the rainy periods after long-term dry weather. The control during this period is essential in the whole process of desertification mitigation.