[Relationship between gully density and characteristics of watershed channel network in typical black soil region in Northeast China].

. The highest gully order in small watersheds reached level 8, with 1662 first-order gullies accounting for 67.8%. The fractal dimension fitting curve of the network exhibited linear patterns, indicating significant fractal characteristics in the gully network. The tributary development was higher in the central and southern parts of the typical black soil distribution area, with greater complexity in the gully network. All surveyed watersheds were in the juvenile stage of gully development and were in an accelerated growth phase. There were no significant differences in gully density and gully network characteristics between the two types of small watersheds. Gully line density showed significant correlations with average watershed slope, shape coefficient, maximum gully order, and network fractal dimension, but no significant correlation with survey unit area. These findings would help clarify the spatial variation and deve-lopmental potential of gully density, providing a theoretical basis for gully erosion investigation and prevention in black soil regions.