A non-invasive preferential root distribution analysis methodology from a slope stability approach

Abstract

Asymmetric root distribution pattern on steep terrain is analysed by combining GPR(Ground Penetrating Radar) image analysis with a theoretical root distribution model and is verified with field investigation data. Root distribution and morphology of a mature deciduous tree were analysed in terms of the plant's anchorage needs in an asymmetric loading condition scenario. The GPR method was combined with trench profile and root excavation techniques for both the structural and non-structural root data collection.Good correlations between the field analysis, the theoretical model outcome and the GPR output imagery were found. GPR was proven to be an efficient tool for both root lateral distribution characterisation and vertical root cluster distribution. The combination of the GPR output with a theoretical root distribution model seemed to be a viable non-invasive methodology for assessing root system vertical and horizontal distribution.

Describing the vertical root distribution of alpine plants with simple climate, soil, and plant attributes

“…4). This is consistent with VRDs reported for shrub, woody, and herbaceous plant species in Mediterranean (Preti et al, 2010;Tron et al, 2014), southern alpine (Burylo et al, 2011) and temperate-humid ecosystems (Gonzalez-Ollauri and Mickovski, 2016;Tardio et al, 2016), and it confirms that the proposed approach for describing VRD in herbaceous plants is methodologically robust across terrestrial ecosystems in Europe.…”

“…the pattern in which root density biomass is distributed along the soil profile -is perhaps the most important feature to know ability of these models to realistically portray VRD has been successfully tested for few herbaceous (Gonzalez-Ollauri and Mickovski, 2016) and shrub species (Preti and Giadrossich, 2009;Preti et al, 2010), but their application to the wider pool of plants, in general, and to woody plants (e.g. Preti et al, 2010;Tron et al, 2014;Tardio et al, 2016), in particular, needs further validation. In addition, the robustness of the model conceptualisation and the assumptions still need to be verified against primary data showing the influence of multiple soil and plant attributes on VRD, which could help to identify potential model improvements including application to climates with different ecohydrological features, such as tropical or alpine.…”

A novel framework to study the effect of tree architectural traits on stemflow yield and its consequences for soil-water dynamics

“…Soil matric suction was monitored with two field tensiometers/piezometers (T4 -UMS GmbH, Germany) installed vertically within the soilroot zone (i.e. 0-500 mm beneath the soil surface; Gonzalez-Ollauri and Mickovski, 2017a; Tardio et al, 2016) and, at 0.1 m from the downslope side of the tree boles of Syc1 and Syc2.…”

The Effect of Environmental Factors on the Development of Pine Root Systems

“…The variation in elongation rates for various plants reflect the genetic difference among species as well as the effects of other factors such as root system architecture (Tardio et al, 2016). This is important for competition between species and for allowing one genotype to grow better than the other at a specific location.…”