Comparison of root distributions of species in North American grasslands using GIS

Abstract. We quantified the spatial distribution of roots of individual plants using detailed drawings from the literature of species of grasses, forbs, and shrubs in the Central Great Plains grasslands of North America. We scanned each two-dimensional drawing electronically and used ARC/INFO, a Geographic Information System, to calculate root length (cm) and density (cm root length/cm soil) with depth in the soil profile. We then selected one of three mathematical models that best fit the data, and classified each species as either shallow-, medium- or deep-rooted. 66 root drawings from 55 species were evaluated. Most plants were shallow-rooted with largest root densities occurring at depths < 20 cm; most maximum rooting depths were > 1m. Grasses had the shallowest maximum depth and shrubs the deepest. Deep-rooted forbs had the smallest root densities by depth. Most plants had two sections to their distribution of root density: an initial increase from the soil surface followed by a decrease in density with increasing depth. Our results suggest that the abundance and importance of different species and growth forms in North American grasslands is related to similarities and differences in the spatial distributions of their root systems. Our approach provides quantitative information on root distributions to be used for comparisons among species, and in simulation modeling analyses that could not be done with conventional methods that are qualitative in nature.     

Root systems of chaparral shrubs

Summary Root systems of chaparral shrubs were excavated from a 70 m² plot of a mixed chaparral stand located on a north-facing slope in San Diego County (32°54 N; 900 m above sea level). The main shrub species present were Adenostoma fasciculatum, Arctostaphylos pungens, Ceanothus greggii, Erigonum fasciculatum, and Haplopappus pinifolius. Shrubs were wired into their positions, and the soil was washed out beneath them down to a depth of approximately 60 cm, where impenetrable granite impeded further washing and root growth was severely restricted. Spacing and interweaving of root systems were recorded by an in-scale drawing. The roots were harvested in accordance to their depths, separated into diameter size classes for each species, and their dry weights measured. Roots of shrubs were largely confined to the upper soil levels. The roots of Eriogonum fasciculatum were concentrated in the upper soil layer. Roots of Adenostoma fasciculatum tended to be more superficial than those from Ceanothus greggii. It is hypothesized that the shallow soil at the excavation site impeded a clear depth zonation of the different root systems. The average dry weight root:shoot ratio was 0.6, ranging for the individual shrubs from 0.8 to 0.4. The root area always exceeded the shoot area, with the corresponding ratios ranging from 6 for Arctostaphylos pungens to 40 for Haplopappus pinifolius. The fine root density of 64 g dry weight per m² under the canopy was significantly higher than in the unshaded area. However, the corresponding value of 45 g dry weight per m² for the open ground is still high enough to make the establishment of other shrubs difficult.     

Root and leaf functional trait relations in Poaceae species: implications of differing resource-acquisition strategies

Aims Root systems play an essential role in grassland functioning in both acquisition and storage of resources. Nevertheless, root functional traits have not received as much attention as those measured on above-ground organs, and little is known about their relations. Our objectives were to test whether morphological and root system traits allowed identification of grass species' functional strategies and to determine whether a relation exists between above- and below-ground traits.Methods Functional traits of root tissues (specific root length, diameter, tissue density and nitrogen concentration), whole root systems (root mass, root length density, root mass percentage below a depth of 20cm and fine root %) and two major leaf traits (specific leaf area and leaf dry matter content) were determined under field conditions and their relations were analysed in eleven perennial temperate Poaceae species.Important findings Canonical correspondence analysis along Axis 1 revealed a gradient of species, from those with deep, dense and coarse root systems with a large root mass to those with shallow root systems, thin roots and high specific root length; this suggests strong correlations among root traits. Correlations between specific root length and specific leaf area reveal two groups of species, which probably indicates different drought-tolerance capacities. Root trait syndromes enable ranking grasses along a gradient from conservative-strategy species (from stressful habitats), which display a deep and coarse root system, to acquisitive species (from rich and moist meadows), which display a shallow and thin root system. Although both types display similar above-ground strategies, drought-tolerant species have lower specific root lengths than drought-sensitive species, revealing more conservative root strategies.     

Size and Structure of Fine Root Systems in Old-growth and Secondary Tropical Montane Forests (Costa Rica)

The fine root systems of three tropical montane forests differing in age and history were investigated in the Cordillera Talamanca, Costa Rica. We analyzed abundance, vertical distribution, and morphology of fine roots in an early successional forest (10–15 years old, ESF), a mid‐successional forest (40 years old, MSP), and a nearby undisturbed old‐growth forest (OGF), and related the root data to soil morphological and chemical parameters. The OGF stand contained a 19 cm deep organic layer on the forest floor (i.e., 530 mol C/m²), which was two and five times thicker than that of the MSF (10 cm) and ESF stands (4 cm), respectively. There was a corresponding decrease in fine root biomass in this horizon from 1128 g dry matter/m² in the old‐growth forest to 337 (MSF) and 31 g/m² (ESF) in the secondary forests, although the stands had similar leaf areas. The organic layer was a preferred substrate for fine root growth in the old‐growth forest as indicated by more than four times higher fine root densities (root mass per soil volume) than in the mineral topsoil (0–10 cm); in the two secondary forests, root densities in the organic layer were equal to or lower than in the mineral soil. Specific fine root surface areas and specific root tip abundance (tips per unit root dry mass) were significantly greater in the roots of the ESF than the MSF and OGF stands. Most roots of the ESF trees (8 abundant species) were infected by VA mycorrhizal fungi; ectomycorrhizal species (Quercus copeyemis and Q. costaricensis) were dominant in the MSF and OGF stands. Replacement of tropical montane oak forest by secondary forest in Costa Rica has resulted in (1) a large reduction of tree fine root biomass; (2) a substantial decrease in depth of the organic layer (and thus in preferred rooting space); and (3) a great loss of soil carbon and nutrients. Whether old–growth Quercus forests maintain a very high fine root biomass because their ectomycorrhizal rootlets are less effective in nutrient absorption than those of VA mycorrhizal secondary forests, or if their nutrient demand is much higher than that of secondary forests (despite a similar leaf area and leaf mass production), remains unclear.     

Woody life-form composition and association on rainfall and soil fertility gradients in Ghana

The hypothesis that treelets/shrubs are more sensitive than trees to drought and low soil fertility was tested by analysing species densities (species per unit area) in 155 tropical forest plots (0.0625 ha) in Ghana, West Africa. Species densities of both life forms decreased with increasing dryness and with increasing soil fertility, which were correlated. Goodness of fit tests detected species preferences for four combinations of rainfall (dry: <1500 mm yr^-1, wet: 1500 mm yr^-1) and soil fertility (two classes based on a composite variable with high weightings for total exchangeable bases and pH), and a meta-analysis of these results compared life forms. The results contradicted the hypothesised response of life forms in two ways: (i) species densities of treelets/shrubs were comparably or relatively less reduced by dry conditions than were tree species densities, and (ii) treelet/shrub species did not show a more frequent preference for wet or fertile sites than did tree species. Light availability and rooting depth are discussed as explanations for the sensitivity of understorey plants to water and nutrient stress, and for the data's failure to support the hypothesis.     

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Controls of Fine Root Life Span

Although fine roots play an integral role in biogeochemical cycling and supporting plant function, fundamental understanding of the mechanisms that control fine root life span is limited. Based on literature, we examined how intrinsic plant characteristics including root diameter, root branching order, rooting depth, and mycorrhizal symbiosis affect fine root life span, and how fine root life span differs with plant life form and foliar habit and between early versus late seral species. We also examined how soil nitrogen and water availability, temperature, and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration influence fine root life span. We focused on evidence from rhizotron and minirhizotron observations which allow for individual roots to be directly monitored in situ. Fine root life span increased with increasing root diameter, was shorter for more distal than proximal roots, and increased with increasing rooting depth, but was not influenced by mycorrhizal symbiosis. Trees had the longest fine root life spans of all the plant life forms, followed by grasses, lianas, shrubs, and forbs. Among trees, deciduous species had shorter fine root life spans than evergreen species. Fine root life span appears to decrease with increasing temperature and increase with soil water availability, whereas the effects of soil nitrogen availability and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration on fine root life span were highly inconsistent among studies. Our findings indicate that root morphological characteristics and plant traits are useful predictors of fine root life span. However, environmental influences on fine root life span remain poorly understood due to the limited number of respective studies. Future studies of root demographic processes are needed to better understand environmental controls of fine root life span. It is also critical that research continues into developing more direct and less invasive techniques for studying root demographics.     

Root metaxylem and architecture phenotypes integrate to regulate water use under drought stress

At the genus and species level, variation in root anatomy and architecture may interact to affect strategies of drought avoidance. To investigate this idea, root anatomy and architecture of the drought‐sensitive common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and drought‐adapted tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius) were analyzed in relation to water use under terminal drought. Intraspecific variation for metaxylem anatomy and axial conductance was found in the roots of both species. Genotypes with high‐conductance root metaxylem phenotypes acquired and transpired more water per unit leaf area, shoot mass, and root mass than genotypes with low‐conductance metaxylem phenotypes. Interspecific variation in root architecture and root depth was observed where P. acutifolius has a deeper distribution of root length than P. vulgaris. In the deeper‐rooted P. acutifolius, genotypes with high root conductance were better able to exploit deep soil water than genotypes with low root axial conductance. Contrastingly, in the shallower‐rooted P. vulgaris, genotypes with low root axial conductance had improved water status through conservation of soil moisture for sustained water capture later in the season. These results indicate that metaxylem morphology interacts with root system depth to determine a strategy of drought avoidance and illustrate synergism among architectural and anatomical phenotypes for root function.     

典型黑土区主要树种根系构型特征及其对固土能力的影响

为量化典型黑土区主要树种根系构型特征,探究其对固土能力的影响,以该区分布较广的榆叶梅、小叶锦鸡儿、白桦、糖槭、红皮云杉、樟子松单株个体为研究对象,采用全根挖掘和WinRHIZO Pro LA2004分析系统相结合对其根系空间分布、几何形态、分形等特征进行测定,同时采用原位整株根系拉拔的方法量化根系垂直拉拔力。结果表明: 榆叶梅以倾斜根为主,小叶锦鸡儿、白桦、糖槭和红皮云杉以水平根为主,樟子松根系在水平和垂直分布上较为均衡;除白桦总根表面积和红皮云杉总根长外,灌木树种总根长、总根表面积显著大于乔木,落叶阔叶乔木总根长、总根表面积显著大于针叶常绿乔木,白桦总根体积显著大于小叶锦鸡儿、糖槭、红皮云杉和樟子松;榆叶梅、小叶锦鸡儿和白桦根系分形维数和分形丰度显著大于红皮云杉和樟子松;榆叶梅、小叶锦鸡儿和糖槭整株根系平均最大垂直拉拔力显著大于白桦、樟子松和红皮云杉。主要受根系总根长、总根表面积和倾斜根数量的影响,榆叶梅、小叶锦鸡儿和糖槭根系表现出较强的固土能力,可作为典型黑土区水土保持植被构建中优先选择的树种。     

地下水埋深对幼龄梭梭功能性状的影响

地下水是干旱荒漠区潜水灌丛植物的重要水分来源,为认识地下水埋深对潜水植物功能性状的影响,利用蒸渗仪群配备的全自动补水仪设置两组地下水埋深(2和3.5 m),测定幼龄梭梭生长季同化枝水力性状、气体交换特征和根系形态参数.结果表明:与地下水埋深2 m相比,地下水埋深3.5 m处理幼龄梭梭黎明前同化枝水势、饱和膨压渗透势和根...     

Root hydraulic conductivity and whole-plant water balance in tropical saplings following a shade-to-sun transfer

We hypothesized that pioneer and late successional species show different morphological and physiological responses in water use after gap formation. The magnitude of the responses was compared between two pioneer species (Macaranga gigantea and Trema orientalis) and four late successional species (Shorea sp.), in an experiment in which saplings were transferred from shade to sun. Although transpiration demand increased following the transfer, root hydraulic conductivity (Lp_r) decreased. Lp_r was sensitive to brief treatments with HgCl₂ (a specific inhibitor of aquaporins). This allows Lp_r to be divided into two components: cell-to-cell and apoplastic pathways. The Lp_r of cell-to-cell pathway decreased in all species following the transfer, relating to aquaporin depression in roots. Following the transfer, leaf osmotic potentials at full hydration decreased and both leaf mass per area [leaf mass/leaf area (LMA)] and fine-root surface area/leaf surface area (root SA/leaf SA) increased in almost all species, allowing saplings to compensate for the decrease in Lp_r. Physiologically, pioneer species showed larger decreases in Lp_r and more effective osmotic adjustment than late successional species, and morphologically, pioneer species showed larger increases in root SA/leaf SA and LMA. Water balance at the whole-plant level should be regulated by coupled responses between the aboveground and the belowground parts. Interspecific differences in responses after gap formation suggest niche differentiation in water use between pioneer and late successional species in accordance with canopy-gap size.     

陕北沙地3种典型灌木根木质部解剖结构及水力特性

比较了陕北沙地沙柳、柠条和沙棘3种典型灌木不同土壤深度(0～20和30～50 cm)根木质部解剖结构和水力特性.结果表明： 沙柳具有较高的叶水势,根木质部导管平均最大直径(d_max)、平均最小直径(d_min)、平均导管面积(A_lum)以及导管面积占木质部面积比例(A_ves/A_xyl)显著高于柠条和沙棘,根导管密度(VD)与沙棘相当但显著高于柠条;沙柳根的比导水率分别为柠条和沙棘的5.0和2.8倍;沙柳根栓塞脆弱性指数与柠条根相当,但显著高于沙棘根.表明沙柳属耗水型水分利用策略,而柠条和沙棘属节水型水分利用策略,且柠条更耐旱.3种灌木在2个土层深度的d_max、d_min和A_lum无显著差异,但30～50 cm土层根VD和A_ves/A_xyl显著高于表层;30～50 cm土层根比导水率显著高于表层根,但脆弱性指数小于表层根,深层根具有高的水分传输效率和低的水力脆弱性.     

Root deployment and shoot growth for two desert species in response to soil rockiness

Soil texture, as well as the presence of rocks, can determine the water status, growth, and distribution of plants in arid environments. The effects of soil rockiness and soil particle size distribution on shoot and root growth, root system size, rooting depth, and water relations were therefore investigated for the Crassulacean acid metabolism leaf succulent Agave deserti and the C(4) bunchgrass Pleuraphis rigida after precipitation events during the summer and winter/spring rainfall periods in the northwestern Sonoran Desert. The soils at the field site varied from sandy (<3% rocks by volume) to rocky (up to 35% rocks), with greater water availability at higher water potentials for sandy than for rocky soils. Although A. deserti was absent from the sandiest sites, its shoot and root growth during both rainfall periods were greatest in comparatively sandier sites and decreased as the soil rock content increased. Furthermore, A. deserti had twofold greater root surface area, root?:?leaf area ratio, and mean rooting depth at sandier than at rocky sites. As for A. deserti, shoot growth was greater for P. rigida at the sandier sites than at the rockier sites, even though its root surface area and mean rooting depth did not vary significantly. After early spring rainfall events, the leaf water potential for A. deserti did not differ between rocky and sandy sites, but transpiration rates were almost twofold greater at rocky than at sandy sites. During the same period, P. rigida had lower leaf water potentials and 25% lower transpiration rates at rocky than at sandy sites. The greater variability in the deployment of the root systems of A. deserti in response to soil rockiness may reflect its evergreen habit and slower growth, which allow it to endure periods of lower water availability than does P. rigida, whose leaves die during drought.     

Root Strength and Root Area Ratio of Forest Species in Lombardy (Northern Italy)

Forest vegetation is known to increase hillslope stability by reinforcing soil shear resistance and by influencing hydrologic conditions of soil. Although the importance of plant root systems for hillslope stability has received considerable attention in recent years, the quantification of such an effect needs more investigation. In this paper, we present a synthesis of the data gathered in the last 5 years for some species in different locations of the Alps and Prealps of Lombardy (Northern Italy) with the aim to increase our knowledge on root tensile strength and on Root Area Ratio distribution within the soil. Concerning root tensile strength we developed tensile strength–diameter relationships for eight species: green alder (Alnus viridis(Chaix) D.C.), beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), red willow (Salix purpurea L.), goat willow (Salix caprea L.), hazel (Corylus avellana L.), European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and European larch (Larix decidua Mill.). Results show a great variability among the different species and also for the same species. In general, however, root strength (in terms of tension) tends to decrease with diameter according to a power law, as observed by other Authors. Comparing the power law fitting curves for the considered species, it can be observed that they fall in a relatively narrow band, with the exception of hazel, which appears the most resistant. Concerning the evaluation of root distribution within the soil we estimated the Root Area Ratio (the ratio between the area occupied by roots in a unit area of soil) according to its depth for five species (beech, Norway spruce, European larch, mixed hazel and ash) in three locations of Lombardy. Results show that there is a great variability of root density for the same species well as for different points at the same locality. The general behaviour of root density, in any case, is to decrease with depth according to a gamma function for all the studied species. The results presented in this paper contribute to expanding the knowledge on root resistance behaviour and on root density distribution within the soil. The studied location have allowed the implementation of soil–root reinforcement models and the evaluation of the vegetation contribution to soil stability.     

Differential use of large summer rainfall events by shrubs and grasses: a manipulative experiment in the Patagonian steppe

In the Patagonian steppe, years with above-average precipitation (wet years) are characterized by the occurrence of large rainfall events. The objective of this paper was to analyze the ability of shrubs and grasses to use these large events. Shrubs absorb water from the lower layers, grasses from the upper layers, intercepting water that would otherwise reach the layers exploited by shrubs. We hypothesized that both life-forms could use the large rainfalls and that the response of shrubs could be more affected by the presence of grasses than vice versa. We performed a field experiment using a factorial combination of water addition and life-form removal, and repeated it during the warm season of three successive years. The response variables were leaf growth, and soil and plant water potential. Grasses always responded to experimental large rainfall events, and their response was greater in dry than in wet years. Shrubs only used large rainfalls in the driest year, when the soil water potential in the deep layers was low. The presence or absence of one life-form did not modify the response of the other. The magnitude of the increase in soil water potential was much higher in dry than in humid years, suggesting an explanation for the differences among years in the magnitude of the response of shrubs and grasses. We propose that the generally reported poor response of deep-rooted shrubs to summer rainfalls could be because (1) the water is insufficient to reach deep soil layers, (2) the plants are in a dormant phenological status, and/or (3) deep soil layers have a high water potential. The two last situations may result in high deep-drainage losses, one of the most likely explanations for the elsewhere-reported low response of aboveground net primary production to precipitation during wet years. Received: 23 January 1997 / Accepted: 19 November 1997     

Allometry, root/shoot ratio and root architecture in understory saplings of deciduous dicotyledonous trees in central Japan

Plant allometry that is related to plant architecture and biomass allocation strongly influences a plants ability to grow in shaded forest understory. Some allometric traits can change with plant size. The present study compared crown and trunk allometries, root/shoot biomass allometry, and root architecture among understory saplings (0.25--5m height, except for two trees > 5 < 7 m) of seven deciduous dicotyledonous species in central Japan. Associations of the crown and trunk allometries with several plant morphological attributes were analyzed. Branch morphology (plagiotropyvs orthotropy) and life size were correlated with sapling crown and trunk allometries. Both large leaves and orthotropic branches were associated with a narrow small crown and slender trunk. The root/shoot ratio decreased rapidly with increasing plant height for saplings shorter than about 1.5 m. Less shade-tolerant species tended to have smaller root/shoot ratios for saplings taller than 1.5 m. With an increase in plant height, the branch/trunk biomass ratio decreased for saplings with plagiotropic branches but increased for saplings with orthotropic branches. Four subcanopy species (Acer distylum, Carpinus cordata, Fraxinus lanuginosa and Acanthopanax sciadophylloides) had superficial root systems; a common understory species (Sapium japonica) had a deep tap root system; and a canopy species (Magnolia obovata) and a subcanopy species (Acer tenuifolium) had heart root systems of intermediate depth. The root depth was not related to shade tolerance. Among species of the same height, the difference in fine root length can be 30-fold.     

Root distribution at various distances from clove trees growing in Indonesia

Efficient fertilizer application requires an understanding of the distribution of roots and soil nutrients in the soil profile. Cultural practices for clove trees in Indonesia has resulted in phosphorus (P) fertilizer being applied at the canopy edge; however, in these high P fixing soils efficient P fertilizer application should occur with the highest root densities. The objective of this study, therefore, was to determine the rooting distribution at various distances from the tree and soil depths for clove (Eugenia aromatica OK; variety Zanzibar) trees growing on an Andosol soil at Modoinding, Indonesia. Root distributions were determined to a 100-cm soil depth using soil cores at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 times the canopy radius for five 10-year-old clove trees grown on either level terrain or 23% slopes. Clove root length and weight densities decreased with soil depth and distance from the tree base. Fine clove roots (1 mm dia) comprised 72% of the total root length and was three to five times higher underneath the canopy than that outside the canopy. Roots were concentrated in the upper soil horizons; however, up to 36% of the total root length was found at a depth of 50–100 cm. Clove roots for trees growing at the level landscape position had the highest root length densities. Intercropped species root length densities were higher than clove root length densities at 1.5 times the canopy radius whereas intercropped root weight densities were higher than that for clove roots at both 1.5 and 1 times the canopy radius. Results suggest that fertilizer applications should be placed closer to the tree trunk rather than at the canopy edge to maximize P uptake by clove roots.     

Diversity of phenolic compounds and plant traits in coexisting Patagonian desert shrub species of Argentina

Desert shrubs often accumulate different types of phenolic compounds but what determines the amount and diversity of these compounds is an issue scarcely explored. The aim of this study was to assess differences in the amount and diversity of phenolic compounds in leaves among coexisting shrub species differing in rooting depth and leaf turnover. We hypothesized that the diversity and amount of phenolic compounds in leaves of desert shrubs are related to access to soil water through rooting depth, and to leaf turnover. The study was carried out in the Patagonian Monte of Argentina. We collected green leaves of six species representing the dominant shrub morphotypes (tall evergreen, tall deciduous, and medium evergreen shrubs) and assessed lignin concentration and groups of soluble phenols obtained by sequential extraction with ethyl ether, ethyl acetate, and amyl alcohol. We also assessed nitrogen concentration in leaves and leaf mass per unit area (LMA) as traits related to leaf lifespan. The diversity of phenolic compounds was higher in green leaves of tall shrubs with deep rooting depth than in those of medium evergreen shrubs with shallow rooting depth. Diversity of phenolic compounds in green leaves was negatively related to lignin concentration. Evergreen shrubs had higher amount of phenolic compounds in green leaves than deciduous ones and the total amount of phenolic compounds in green leaves was positively related to LMA. We concluded that access to soil water sources and leaf turnover were related to the amount and diversity of phenolic compounds in green leaves of desert shrub species and these results are consistent with those predicted by the resource availability theory for plants from resource-rich and resource-poor habitats.     

Biomass estimation models and allocation patterns of 14 shrub species in Mountain Luya,Shanxi, China

Aims Shrub species have evolved specific strategies to regulate biomass allocation among various organs or between above- and belowground biomass and shrub biomass model is an important approach to estimate biomass allocation among different shrub species. This study was designed to establish the optimal estimation models for each organ (leaf, stem, and root), aboveground and total biomass of 14 common shrub species in Mountain Luya, Shanxi Province, China. Furthermore, we explored biomass allocation characteristics of these shrub species by using the index of leaf biomass fraction (leaf to total biomass), stem biomass fraction (stem to total biomass), root biomass fraction (root to total biomass), and root to shoot mass ratio (R/S) (belowground to aboveground biomass).
Methods We used plant height, basal diameter, canopy diameter and their combination as variables to establish the optimal biomass estimation models for each shrub species. In addition, we used the ratios of leaf, stem, root to total biomass, and belowground to aboveground biomass to explore the difference of biomass allocation patterns of 14 shrub species.
Important findings Most of biomass estimation models could be well expressed by the exponential and linear functions. Biomass for shorter shrub species with more stems could be better estimated by canopy area; biomass for taller shrub species with less stems could be better estimated by the sum of the square of total base diameter multiply stem height; and biomass for the rest shrub species could be better estimated by canopy volume. The averaged value for these shrub species was 0.61, 0.17, 0.48, and 0.35 for R/S, leaf biomass fraction, stem biomass fraction, and root biomass fraction, respectively. Except for leaf biomass fraction, R/S, stem biomass fraction, and root biomass fraction for shrubs with thorn was significantly greater than that for shrubs without thorn.     

Influence of soil gas contamination on tree root growth

Summary Rooted-cuttings and saplings of green ash (Fraxinus lanceolata) and hybrid poplar (Populus spp) were planted on a former municipal refuse landfill and on a nearby nonlandfill control plot. The root systems of four trees of each species and size were excavated on the landfill plot-two growing in an area where the concentrations of anaerobic landfill gases were relatively high and two in a relatively low-gas area. Two trees of each species and size were also excavated on the control. The root systems of both species were significantly shallower on the landfill plot than on the control. Green ash appeared to avoid the adverse gas environment of the deeper soil layers on the landfill by producing adventitious roots. Hybrid poplar became adapted in a different manner, by redirecting root growth from the deepter soil layers to the soil surface.     

Soil water availability and rooting depth as determinants of hydraulic architecture of Patagonian woody species

Adaptations of species to capture limiting resources is central for understanding structure and function of ecosystems. We studied the water economy of nine woody species differing in rooting depth in a Patagonian shrub steppe from southern Argentina to understand how soil water availability and rooting depth determine their hydraulic architecture. Soil water content and potentials, leaf water potentials (Ψ_Leaf), hydraulic conductivity, wood density (ρ_w), rooting depth, and specific leaf area (SLA) were measured during two summers. Water potentials in the upper soil layers during a summer drought ranged from −2.3 to −3.6 MPa, increasing to −0.05 MPa below 150 cm. Predawn Ψ_Leaf was used as a surrogate of weighted mean soil water potential because no statistical differences in Ψ_Leaf were observed between exposed and covered leaves. Species-specific differences in predawn Ψ_Leaf were consistent with rooting depths. Predawn Ψ_Leaf ranged from −4.0 MPa for shallow rooted shrubs to −1.0 MPa for deep-rooted shrubs, suggesting that the roots of the latter have access to abundant moisture, whereas shallow-rooted shrubs are adapted to use water deposited mainly by small rainfall events. Wood density was a good predictor of hydraulic conductivity and SLA. Overall, we found that shallow rooted species had efficient water transport in terms of high specific and leaf specific hydraulic conductivity, low ρ_w, high SLA and a low minimum Ψ_Leaf that exhibited strong seasonal changes, whereas deeply rooted shrubs maintained similar minimum Ψ_Leaf throughout the year, had stems with high ρ_w and low hydraulic conductivity and leaves with low SLA. These two hydraulic syndromes were the extremes of a continuum with several species occupying different portions of a gradient in hydraulic characteristics. It appears that the marginal cost of having an extensive root system (e.g., high ρ_w and root hydraulic resistance) contributes to low growth rates of the deeply rooted species.