Study on the characteristics of phosphorus loss and the vegetation restoration measures in the phosphorus-enriched degraded mountain area in the Dianchi lake watershed, southwestern China

Freshwater eutrophication is usually controlled by inputs of phosphorus (Schindler, 1977). And dissolved phosphorus is the limiting factor for the algae bloom in eutrophic lakes (He et al., 2014).

In the south of Dianchi lake watershed, there is a phosphate distribution area. The soil phosphorus content is very high and easy to be transported. In these areas, phosphate mining and other human activities causes the degradation of vegetation. In the monsoon season, large amounts of phosphorus are transported into Dianchi lake by runoff (Duan et al., 2010). To prevent eutrophication, the measures to reduce P inputs to streams efficiently are very important, and management plans should focus on areas that both are high P sources and have a high potential for transport (Karl & Jan, 2013).