Rainwater infiltration will significantly increase the pore water pressure of shallow soil, thus reducing the stability of slope soil. In order to study the migration law of rainwater infiltration wetting front of vegetated slopes, the law of rainfall infiltration was analyzed by using the data of in field monitoring test of slopes. Meanwhile, a vegetated slope infiltration model was established, and the changes in the pore pressure and saturation of the idealized root system on the slope under different rainfall were investigated and analyzed. We found that medium to heavy rainfall (>10 mm/d) can change the shallow water content of vegetated slopes, and light rainfall cannot change the water content; the change in water content of vegetated slopes is less than that of unvegetated slopes under long-duration rainfall, and more than that of unvegetated slopes under short duration rainfall; the change in water content of Ligustrum quihoui Carr. L. shrub slopes are smaller than that of Nerium oleander L. shrub slopes, which has a better effect of slope; under short duration rainfall, the permeability coefficient of root consolidation zone of the vegetated slope is large, the rainwater infiltration speed is fast and it is not easy to cause shallow landslides; with the increase of rainfall time, the plant root system provides a good pore channel, the depth of sudden change of pore pressure of vegetated slope is smaller than that of unvegetated slope. The results of this study provide a reference and analytical basis for vegetated slopes of road graben under rainfall.

This study explores the complex interplay between vegetation and soil stability on slopes to enhance soilbioengineering and slope stabilization techniques. We assess the multifaceted role of vegetation in soil stabilization, examining processes such as canopy interception, stemflow, and the effects of hydrological and mechanical changes induced by root systems and above-ground plant structures. Key underlying mechanisms and their effects on stability are reported, along with the evaluation of significant plant indicators from historical research. Our review revealed that plant coverage and root architecture are critical in reducing soil erosion, with plant roots increasing soil cohesion and reducing soil detachability. Above-ground vegetation provides a protective layer that decreases the kinetic energy of raindrops and allows for higher infiltration. The importance of species-specific root traits is emphasized as pragmatic determinants of erosion prevention. Additionally, the effects of root reinforcement on shallow landslides are dissected to highlight their dualistic nature. While root soil interactions typically increase soil shear strength and enhance slope stability, it is crucial to discriminate among vegetation types such as trees, shrubs, and grasses due to their distinct root morphology, tensile strength, root area ratio, and depth. These differences critically affect their impact on slope stability, where, for instance, robust shrub roots may fortify soil to greater depths, whereas grass roots contribute significantly to topsoil shear strength. Grasses and herbaceous plants effectively controlled surface erosion, whereas shrubs mainly controlled shallow landslides. Therefore, it is vital to conduct a study that combines shrubs with grasses or herbaceous plants. Both above-ground and below-ground plant indicators, including root and shoot indicators, were crucial for improving slope stability. To accurately evaluate the impact of plant species on slope stability reinforcement, it is necessary to study the combination of hydro-mechanical coupling with both ground plant indicators under specific conditions.