Effect of single Quercus ilex trees upon spatial and seasonal changes in soil water content in dehesas of central western Spain

Abstract

-The spatial and temporal evolution of soil water content (θ) in Quercus ilex dehesas has been investigated to determine how trees modify the soil water dynamics and the nature of tree-grass interactions in terms of soil water use in these ecosystems. Soil physical parameters and θ were measured at different distances from the tree trunk (2−30 m) in the upper 300 cm of soil. les valeurs moyennes de θ furent plus élevées au-delà de la canopée que sous les arbres. La diminution de θ au-delà de la canopée des arbres a continué à diminuer encore en été lorsque les plantes herbacées étaient sèches, suggérant un prélèvement d'eau par les arbres. Nos résultats suggèrent alors que les arbres peuvent utiliser de l'eau localisée loin deux même à des distances de 20 m. et qu'ils sont très dépendants des réserves d'eau en profondeur (100−300 cm) pendant la fin du printemps et en été, ce qui contribue à diminuer la concurrence pour l'eau entre arbres et strate herbacée.contenu en eau du sol / TDR / Quercus ilex / chênaie / interaction arbre-herbacées

Climate and topographic controls on simulated pasture production in a semiarid Mediterranean watershed with scattered tree cover

“…Likewise, Gindel (1964) observed also higher water content beneath canopy than in open areas under subtropical and semi-desert conditions. In contrast, García-Estringana et al (2013) measured lower soil moisture under forest cover in a Mediterranean mountain area, while Cubera and Moreno (2007b) and Gea-Izquierdo et al (2009) found lower water contents beneath canopy in semiarid conditions with scattered trees, which is in accordance with our results.…”

Contrasting Hydraulic Strategies during Dry Soil Conditions in Quercus rubra and Acer rubrum in a Sandy Site in Michigan

“…Q. rubra and Quercus species in general have been found to be deeply rooted tree species [33,34] and thus should have access to a larger reservoir of soil water within the profile than shallow rooted species. It has been shown that water is increasingly taken up from deeper soil horizons during periods of drought in the Quercus genus [32,35]. In contrast, A. rubrum shows a significant positive correlation between pre-dawn leaf water potential values and soil moisture levels.…”

Environmental Drivers of Holocene Forest Development in the Middle Atlas, Morocco

“…However, lack of transpiration blockage can lead to difficulties under prolonged, severe drought (Aussenac, 1984). In contrast, Quercus rotundifolia develops deep rooting structures to access groundwater reserves and maintain high rates of transpiration in combination with stomatal closure under extreme stress (David et al, 2004;Cubera and Moreno, 2007;Vaz et al, 2010). These different strategies leave Cedrus more vulnerable to extended temperature-driven summer drought and low soil moisture.…”