This study investigated the role of three rangeland species viz. Agropyron trichophorum, Medicago sativa, and Lolium prenne on mitigating of effects of a freeze-thaw (FT) cycle on runoff generation and soil loss from small experimental plots. Small plots (0.5 0.5m) were prepared in three replicates for control (i.e., under an FT cycle only) and treatments (i.e., individually planted with the study species and subject to an FT cycle). The treated plots were then placed at a slope of 20% and subjected to simulated rainfall with the intensity of 70 mm h 1 and 30 min duration. The results of the study showed a significant effect (P < 0.05) of the plants on controlling runoff and soil loss after an FT cycle. Also, the detrimental effects of the FT cycle due to the performance of ice lenses and the formation of an active melting layer in the soil surface were ameliorated by the presence of litter on the soil and the root-binding effect of the plants. Time to runoff increased by 54, 111, and 10%, runoff volume decreased by 27, 68 and 0.4% and soil loss changed by 34, 62, and þ6.5% in the plots planted with A. trichophorum, L. prenne, and M. sativa, respectively. The results of the current study indicated that L. prenne had the maximum benefit on reducing runoff and soil loss from the plots undergoing an FT cycle.
