Research advances in using plant hedges and filter strips to reduce soil and water erosion and non-point pollution

Soil erosion on sloping land induces soil and water loss and non-point pollution, causing serious adverse effects on ecology and environment quality in hilly areas. Use of plant hedges or filter strips is an effective method to prevent soil and water loss and to protect ecology and environment quality. It can effectively increase soil infiltration and reduce the runoff, sediment, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and pollutants through the combined action of plants, soil, and microorganisms. This manuscript summarizes the effect of different plant hedges and filter strips in reducing the runoff, sediment, N, P, and pollutants, analyzes the associated impact factors, discusses the interrupting mechanisms, and, finally, proposes contents that need further study in the future. It can provide a reference for further research and the application of plant hedges or filter strip technology and provides evidence for sustainable utilization of cultivated land and ecological agriculture construction in hilly areas.