The effect of plant species on erosion processes may be decisive for long‐term soil protection in degraded ecosystems. The identification of functional effect traits that predict species ability for erosion control would be of great interest for ecological restoration purposes. Flume experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of the root systems of three species having contrasted ecological requirements from eroded marly lands of the French Southern Alps [i.e. Robinia pseudo acacia (tree), Pinus nigra austriaca (tree) and Achnatherum calamagrostis (grass)], on concentrated flow erosion rates. Ten functional traits, describing plant morphological and biomechanical features, were measured on each tested sample. Analyses were performed to identify traits that determine plant root effects on erosion control. Erosion rates were lowest for samples of Robinia pseudo acacia, intermediate in Achnatherum calamagrostis and highest in Pinus nigra austriaca. The three species also differed strongly in their traits. Principal components analysis showed that the erosion‐reducing potential of plant species was negatively correlated to root diameter and positively correlated to the percentage of fine roots. The results highlighted the role of small flexible roots in root reinforcement processes, and suggested the importance of high root surface and higher tensile strength for soil stabilization. By combining flume experiment to plant functional traits measurements, we identified root system features influencing plant species performance for soil protection against concentrated flow erosion. Plant functional traits related to species efficiency for erosion control represent useful tools to improve the diagnosis of land vulnerability to erosion, plant community resistance and the prediction of ecosystem functioning after ecological restoration. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
International audienceBackground and aims Plant species can have a major effect on erosion dynamics and soil losses by retaining sediment transported during concentrated runoff. Identifying plant functional traits that influence and predict a species ability for sediment trapping is therefore of great interest, especially to improve management and restoration of degraded lands. Methods Sediment trapping ability of four morphologically contrasted species, the broadleaf species Buxus sempervirens and Lavandula angustifolia, and the coniferous species Juniperus communis and Pinus nigra, were investigated with flume experiments. Six functional traits describing stem, leaf and the overall plant morphology, were measured on seedlings. Analyses were performed to compare species efficiency in sediment trapping and to identify traits related to the amount of sediment trapped. Results Sediment trapping (RTS) was the highest upslope of Lavandula and the lowest upslope of Juniperus. Principal component analysis showed that RTS was best correlated (positively) with canopy density, described by plant biomass and leaf area per unit volume of plant. Leaf area and plant roundness were also positively related to RTS but to a lesser extent. Conclusions The results of this experimental study suggest that canopy completeness, leaf morphology and plant shape influence sediment retention by plants. Such knowledge may improve the diagnosis of land vulnerability to erosion and the prediction of ecosystem functioning after ecological restoration by the construction of bioengineering works in gully floors
In marly catchments of the French Southern Alps, soils are subjected to harsh water erosion that can result in concentrated flows uprooting small plants. Evaluating and predicting plant resistance to uprooting from simple plant traits is therefore highly important so that the most efficient plant strategy for future restoration of eroded slopes can be defined. Twelve species growing on marly land were studied. For each species, in-situ lateral uprooting tests were conducted and morphological plant traits were measured on small plants at the early stages of their development. The results show that maximum uprooting force was most positively correlated with stem basal diameter. Resistance to uprooting depends on a combination of several traits. Tap root length, the proportion of fine lateral roots and root topology were the best predictors of anchorage strength.
International audiencePlant functional traits are increasingly used in restoration ecology because they have the potential to guide restoration practices at a broad scale. This article presents a trait-based multi-criteria framework to evaluate and predict the performance of 17 plant seedlings to improve ecological restoration of marly eroded areas in the French Southern Alps. The suitability of these species to limit soil erosion was assessed by studying both their response to erosive forces and their effect on erosion dynamics. We assumed that species efficiency could be explained and predicted from plant traits and we looked for trait-performance relationships. Our results showed that root slenderness ratio, the percentage of fine roots and root system topology, were the three root morphology traits best describing anchorage strength. Root system characterized by a long and thin tap root and many fine lateral ramifications would be the best to resist concentrated runoff. Species response to burial mainly depended on growth form and morphological flexibility. The abilities of species in reinforcing the soil and reducing erosion rates were negatively correlated to root diameter and positively to the percentage of fine roots. Moreover, root system density and root tensile strength also influenced root reinforcement. Finally, the ability to trap sediment was positively correlated to leaf area and canopy density. Species were then scored and classified in four clusters according to their global performance. This method allows identifying species that possess both response and effect traits related to the goal of preventing erosion during ecological restoration
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