redistribution of soil water by tree root systems

Plant roots transfer water between soil layers of different water potential thereby significantly affecting the distribution and availability of water in the soil profile. We used a modification of the heat pulse method to measure sap flow in roots of Grevillea robusta and Eucalyptus camaldulensis a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Oecologia 1998-07, Vol.115 (3), p.306-311
Main Authors: Burgess, S.S.O, Adams, M.A, Turner, N.C, Ong, C.K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Autoecology
Biological and medical sciences
Ecophysiology
Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Forest soils
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Grevillea robusta
Hydraulics
Plant roots
Plants
Plants and fungi
Root systems
roots
Sap flow
Soil depth
Soil hydraulic properties
soil profiles
Soil water
Soil water movement
water uptake
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Summary:Plant roots transfer water between soil layers of different water potential thereby significantly affecting the distribution and availability of water in the soil profile. We used a modification of the heat pulse method to measure sap flow in roots of Grevillea robusta and Eucalyptus camaldulensis and demonstrated a redistribution of soil water from deeper in the profile to dry surface horizons by the root system. This phenomenon, termed "hydraulic lift" has been reported previously. However, we also demonstrated that after the surface soils were rewetted at the break of season, water was transported by roots from the surface to deeper soil horizons -- the reverse of the "hydraulic lift" behaviour described for other woody species. We suggest that "hydraulic redistribution" of water in tree roots is significant in maintaining root viability, facilitating root growth in dry soils and modifying resource availability.
ISSN:0029-8549
1432-1939
DOI:10.1007/s004420050521