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.本数据集收录了一项研究的完整实验数据，该研究针对中国湖北省湿润亚热带生态系统内人工边坡上的苔藓主导型生物土壤结皮（biological soil crusts, BSCs）的水文功能展开探究。数据集涵盖了针对苔藓结皮覆盖土壤与相邻裸土开展的原位与实验室测量数据，测量覆盖三类边坡位置：台顶面（bench top, BF）、台面表层（bench surface, BS）与台坡脚（bench toe, BT）。核心数据包含土壤理化性质（质地、容重、孔隙度、土壤有机质、大团聚体含量）、水文参数（采用van Genuchten模型（van Genuchten model）拟合的土壤持水曲线参数、田间持水量、萎蔫点、植物有效水含量）以及渗透指标（饱和与非饱和导水率、吸渗率、斥水指数）。尤为重要的是，本数据集包含高分辨率X射线显微CT（X-ray μCT）三维孔隙网络分析数据，可提供大孔隙度、孔隙连通性、孔隙喉道特征及配位数等定量指标。额外数据还包括苔藓结皮厚度与水接触角。这份多维度的丰富数据集，可为揭示生物土壤结皮对土壤结构与水动力过程的调控机制提供重要支撑，助力生态水文学、土壤学、边坡稳定性及生态修复领域的相关研究。 关键词：生物土壤结皮、苔藓、人工边坡、土壤水文学、持水性、导水率、孔隙结构、X射线显微CT、土壤水分特征曲线、van Genuchten模型、亚热带生态系统。