Moss Biocrusts Enhance Hydrological Functionality on Engineered Slopes

This dataset comprises comprehensive experimental data from a study investigating the hydrological functions of moss-dominated biological soil crusts (BSCs) on engineered slopes in a humid subtropical ecosystem in Hubei Province, China. It includes in-situ and laboratory measurements comparing moss crust-covered soil with adjacent bare soil across three slope positions: bench top (BF), bench surface (BS), and bench toe (BT). Key data encompass soil physicochemical properties (texture, bulk density, porosity, soil organic matter, macroaggregate content), hydrological parameters (soil water retention curves fitted with van Genuchten model parameters, field capacity, wilting point, plant-available water), and permeability metrics (saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, sorptivity, water repellency index). Crucially, the dataset features high-resolution X-ray μCT 3D pore network analyses, providing quantitative metrics on macroporosity, pore connectivity, pore-throat characteristics, and coordination numbers. Additional data include moss crust thickness and water contact angles. This rich, multi-faceted dataset is valuable for understanding how BSCs modify soil structure and water dynamics, supporting research in ecohydrology, soil science, slope stability, and ecological restoration.

Keywords: Biological soil crusts, Moss, Engineered slopes, Soil hydrology, Water retention, Hydraulic conductivity, Pore structure, X-ray micro-CT, Soil water characteristic curve, van Genuchten model, Subtropical ecosystem.