Loading...
Please wait, while we are loading the content...
Similar Documents
Significance of tree roots for preferential infiltration in stagnic soils
| Content Provider | Scilit |
|---|---|
| Author | Lange, B. Lüescher, P. Germann, P. F. |
| Copyright Year | 2009 |
| Description | It is generally recognized that roots have an effect on infiltration. In this study we analysed the relation between root length distributions from Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst), silver fir (Abies alba Miller), European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and preferential infiltration in stagnic soils in the northern Pre-Alps in Switzerland. We conducted irrigation experiments (1 m2) and recorded water content variations with time domain reflectometry (TDR). A rivulet approach was applied to characterise preferential infiltration. Roots were sampled down to a depth of 0.5 to 1 m at the same position where the TDR-probes had been inserted and digitally measured. The basic properties of preferential infiltration, film thickness of mobile water and the contact length between soil and mobile water in the horizontal plane are closely related to root densities. An increase in root density resulted in an increase in contact length, but a decrease in film thickness. We modelled water content waves based on root densities and identified a range of root densities that lead to a maximum volume flux density and infiltration capacity. These findings provide convincing evidence that tree roots in stagnic soils represent the pore system that carries preferential infiltration. Thus, the presence of roots should improve infiltration. |
| Ending Page | 1821 |
| Page Count | 13 |
| Starting Page | 1809 |
| e-ISSN | 16077938 |
| DOI | 10.5194/hess-13-1809-2009 |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/33062687.pdf |
| Journal | Hydrology and Earth System Sciences |
| Issue Number | 10 |
| Volume Number | 13 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Copernicus GmbH |
| Publisher Date | 2009-10-08 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Soil Science Preferential Infiltration Root Densities Stagnic Soils Tree Roots |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
| Subject | Water Science and Technology Earth and Planetary Sciences |
