Preferential flow plays an important role in water and contaminants transporting in the soil. The aim of this study is to investigate characteristics of soil preferential flows in different vertical traps in mountains along the Dalaoling-Dengcun section of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, using the section staining method coupled with image analysis, and hence to analyze impact of preferential flows on water infiltration in the profile. Results show that the mountain yellow brown earth under evergreen-decidous broadleaf mixed forest in the mid-mountain belt and the mountain yellow earth ...
