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Titel |
Significance of tree roots for preferential infiltration in stagnic soils |
VerfasserIn |
B. Lange, P. Lüescher, P. F. Germann |
Medientyp |
Artikel
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Sprache |
Englisch
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ISSN |
1027-5606
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Digitales Dokument |
URL |
Erschienen |
In: Hydrology and Earth System Sciences ; 13, no. 10 ; Nr. 13, no. 10 (2009-10-08), S.1809-1821 |
Datensatznummer |
250012019
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Publikation (Nr.) |
copernicus.org/hess-13-1809-2009.pdf |
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Zusammenfassung |
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. |
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