On the maximum extent of tree roots

Stone, E. L.; Kalisz, P. J.

doi:10.1016/0378-1127(91)90245-q

Cited by 433 publications

(272 citation statements)

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“…However, the specific depths to which tree roots penetrate vary with precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, and tree species (Gale and Grigal, 1987;Schenk and Jackson, 2002a, b). The depth of root penetration also varies with the thickness and properties of soil, and the characteristics of bedrock (Kochenderfer, 1973;Stone and Kalisz, 1991;Anderson et al, 1995;Sternberg et al, 1996;Hubbert et al, 2001a, b;Witty et al, 2003;Bornyasz et al, 2005;Nicoll et al, 2006;Graham et al, 2010).…”

Section: Form Function and Distribution Of Tree Rootsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, where soils are shallow, the underlying substrate may contain roots, sometimes to many meters in depth, especially in upland areas (Hellmers et al, 1955;Scholl, 1976;Stone and Kalisz, 1991;Anderson et al, 1995;Canadell and Zedler, 1995;Jackson et al, 1999;Hubbert et al, 2001a;EgertonWarburton et al, 2003;Rose et al, 2003;Witty et al, 2003;Bornyasz et al, 2005;Graham et al, 2010;Roering et al, 2010;Estrada-Medina et al, 2013). Both fine, absorptive roots and larger framework roots have been found at tens of meters in depth beneath the land surface (Canadell et al, 1996;Jackson et al, 1999).…”

Section: Form Function and Distribution Of Tree Rootsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Reviews and syntheses: on the roles trees play in building and plumbing the critical zone

et al. 2017

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Abstract. Trees, the most successful biological power plants on earth, build and plumb the critical zone (CZ) in ways that we do not yet understand. To encourage exploration of the character and implications of interactions between trees and soil in the CZ, we propose nine hypotheses that can be tested at diverse settings. The hypotheses are roughly divided into those about the architecture (building) and those about the water (plumbing) in the CZ, but the two functions are intertwined. Depending upon one's disciplinary background, many of the nine hypotheses listed below may appear obviously true or obviously false. (1) Tree roots can only physically penetrate and biogeochemically comminute the immobile substrate underlying mobile soil where that underlying substrate is fractured or pre-weathered. (2) In settings where the thickness of weathered material, H , is large, trees primarily shape the CZ through biogeochemical reactions within the rooting zone. (3) In forested uplands, the thickness of mobile soil, h, can evolve toward a steady state because of feedbacks related to root disruption and tree throw. (4) In settings where h H and the rates of uplift and erosion are low, the uptake of phosphorus into trees is buffered by the fine-grained fraction of the soil, and the ultimate source of this phosphorus is dust. (5) In settings of limited water availability, trees maintain the highest length density of functional roots at depths where water can be extracted over most of the growing season with the least amount of energy expenditure. (6) Trees grow the majority of their roots in the zone where the most growth-limiting resource is abundant, but they also grow roots at other depths to forage for other resources and to hydraulically redistribute those resources to depths where they can be taken up more efficiently. (7) Trees rely on matrix water in the unsaturated zone that at times may have anPublished by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union. 5116 S. L. Brantley et al.: Reviews and syntheses: on the roles trees play in building and plumbing the critical zone isotopic composition distinct from the gravity-drained water that transits from the hillslope to groundwater and streamflow. (8) Mycorrhizal fungi can use matrix water directly, but trees can only use this water by accessing it indirectly through the fungi. (9) Even trees growing well above the valley floor of a catchment can directly affect stream chemistry where changes in permeability near the rooting zone promote intermittent zones of water saturation and downslope flow of water to the stream. By testing these nine hypotheses, we will generate important new cross-disciplinary insights that advance CZ science.

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Section: Form Function and Distribution Of Tree Rootsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Form Function and Distribution Of Tree Rootsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reviews and syntheses: on the roles trees play in building and plumbing the critical zone

et al. 2017

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“…This pattern reflects plant strategies to explore their environment and is dependent on the development of fine roots representing a very low fraction of total plant biomass. Based on a review of the available literature, Stone and Kalisz (1991) found that at least 22 tree species grow roots more than 10 m deep, with record depths of about 60 m for Juniperus monosperma and Eucalyptus sp. trees.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Almost symmetrical vertical growth rates above and below ground in one of the world's most productive forests

et al. 2011

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Abstract. Whilst the relationships between growth strategies and leaf traits are well established in functional plant ecology, little attention has been paid to root traits in very deep soil layers. The objective of our study was to compare the vertical velocity of the above-and belowground exploration of the environment for one of the fastest-growing tree species. Fine roots were studied in a chronosequence of intensively-managed Eucalyptus plantations established on highly weathered soils. Here we show that the root front depth was accurately predicted at 85% of mean tree height for stands ,20 m in height, in the absence of any physical or chemical barrier. Tree height and root front growth velocities peaked at 0.59 and 0.55 m month À1 respectively 9-10 months after planting, and decreased steadily thereafter. Fast root front displacement might provide a competitive advantage to fast-growing species in forests established on deep soils. Our study may contribute to the debate on the environmental impact of short-rotation plantation forests in the Tropics.

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“…There is no methodological standardization on the depth of soil sampling to estimate below-ground biomass even though the volume of soil available to roots is determined by soil depth (Pritchett, 1986). In this regard, soil depth is usually determined arbitrarily by direct observation of the root system (Stone, 1987). Therefore, a better knowledge of the density and FIGURA 2.…”

Section: Resultados Y Discusiónmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomasa De Raíces en Un Bosque Templado Con Y Sin Manejo Forestal en Hidalgo, México

Pavón¹,

Moreno²,

Ramírez‐Bautista³

2012

Rev Cha Se Cie For y del Amb

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RESUMENLas raíces son buenos indicadores funcionales del ecosistema ya que constituyen gran parte de la biomasa viva del suelo y ejercen un control sobre los procesos de pedogénesis, la producción de materia orgánica y la dinámica de los nutrientes. En este trabajo se comparó la biomasa de raíces gruesas y finas entre un bosque conservado y un bosque con manejo forestal de corte selectivo. La biomasa promedio de raíces no difirió significativamente entre sitios (P = 0.185). La biomasa en el bosque con manejo forestal fue de 3.05 Mg·ha -1 (E. E. = 0.25) y de 3.39 Mg·ha -1 (E. E. = 0.24) en el bosque conservado. Las raíces finas ocuparon el mayor porcentaje de la biomasa en ambos tipos de bosque, aunque sus valores no difirieron significativamente entre sitios (P = 0.095). De acuerdo con los resultados, al parecer, el manejo forestal de tipo de corte selectivo mantiene las condiciones ambientales y en particular del suelo, lo que permite contener una biomasa similar a la de un bosque conservado bajo condiciones naturales. ABSTRACTThe effect of forest management on biodiversity and ecosystem processes has been little studied in Mexican temperate forests. In this way, roots are good functional indicators of an ecosystem because they constitute much of the living ground biomass and exert control over soil formation processes, organic matter production and nutrient dynamics. This study compares coarse and fine root biomass from a protected forest and a managed area where there was selective logging during 2003 and 2004, resulting in the removal of 10 % of the trees. The average root biomass did not differ significantly between sites (P = 0.185). Root biomass in the managed forest was 3.05 Mg·ha -1 (S.E. = 0.25) and 3.39 Mg·ha -1 (S.E. = 0.24) in the preserved forest. Fine roots occupied the highest percentage of the biomass in both forest types, although their values did not differ significantly between sites (P = 0.095). As the results suggest, selective logging maintains environmental conditions, particularly those of the soil, which allows having similar biomass to that in the forest preserved under natural conditions.

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On the maximum extent of tree roots

Cited by 433 publications

References 99 publications

Reviews and syntheses: on the roles trees play in building and plumbing the critical zone

Reviews and syntheses: on the roles trees play in building and plumbing the critical zone

Almost symmetrical vertical growth rates above and below ground in one of the world's most productive forests

Biomasa De Raíces en Un Bosque Templado Con Y Sin Manejo Forestal en Hidalgo, México

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