Population characteristics of loess gully system in the loess plateau of China

Abstract

Gullies in the Loess Plateau of China vary in developmental stages and morphologic sizes. In this case study, in Linjialian watershed in the loess hilly region, we introduced some perspectives from population ecology to explore the population characteristics of the loess gully system. Different types of gullies were extracted based on the digital elevation model and imagery data. Population analysis was then carried out from three aspects, namely, quantity, structure, and distribution. Results showed that in terms of the quantity, hillslope ephemeral gullies (187 numbers/km2 in number density) and bank gullies (8.3 km/km2 in length density) are the most active gullies in this area with an exponential growth trend, and the hillslope ephemeral gully is the dominant type. Along with age structure analysis, the pyramid-shaped age structure indicated that the gully system is at its early or middle stages of development. The spatial distribution of hillslope ephemeral gullies has a clear aspect asymmetry pattern, and the bank gully distribution is symmetrical. A hierarchical structure (hillslope ephemeral gully-bank gully-valley gully in upslope-shoulder line-bottom area) in an elevation distribution is presented. These preliminary results are helpful for further understanding the organized, systematic development, and evolution of the gully system.