Electrical measurement of tree root absorbing surfaces by the earth impedance method: 2. Verification based on allometric relationships and root severing experiments

Čermák, Jan; Ulrich, Radek; Staněk, Z.; Koller, Jan; Aubrecht, L.

doi:10.1093/treephys/26.9.1113

Cited by 64 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Under such conditions, the assessment of root size by root resistance is liable to be less accurate than an assessment made with regard to root capacitance. This, in turn, tends to agree with previous studies where the capacitance method was applied more widely in the assessment of root size (Chloupek, 1972, 1977; Dalton, 1995; van Beem et al , 1998; Preston et al , 2004; Rajkai et al , 2005; McBride et al , 2008) than was the resistance method (Aubrecht et al , 2006; Čermák et al , 2006). …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…In the course of several studies, single-frequency alternating current was applied in order to assess the capacitance or resistance of the root system, since those attributes were assumed to provide a measurement of the active root surface area (Walker, 1965; Chloupek, 1972, 1977; Dalton, 1995; Preston et al , 2004; Aubrecht et al , 2006; Čermák et al , 2006; McBride et al , 2008). A form of single-frequency (128 Hz) measurement, the earth impedance method, was introduced to estimate the absorbing root surface area in the field (Aubrecht et al , 2006; Čermák et al , 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A form of single-frequency (128 Hz) measurement, the earth impedance method, was introduced to estimate the absorbing root surface area in the field (Aubrecht et al , 2006; Čermák et al , 2006). The impedance was related to the basal area over a large range of stem diameters, which was further assumed to be related to the absorbing root surface area (Čermák et al , 2006). Based on the single-frequency measurements, equivalent models were formulated using resistors in the case of willow cuttings with their root system raised in hydroponic systems (Cao et al , 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Analysis of the willow root system by electrical impedance spectroscopy

Cao

Repo

Silvennoinen

et al. 2010

Journal of Experimental Botany

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Information on plant roots is increasingly needed for understanding and managing plants under various environmental conditions, including climate change. Several methods have been developed to study fine roots but they are either destructive or cumbersome, or may not be suitable for studies of fine root functionality. Electrical impedance, resistance, and capacitance have been proposed as possible non-destructive measures for studying roots. Their use is limited by a lack of knowledge concerning the electrical circuit of the system. Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used for hydroponically raised willows (Salix schwerinii) to estimate the root system size. The impedance spectra were investigated in three experimental set-ups and the corresponding appropriate lumped models were formulated. The fit of the proposed lumped models with the measured impedance spectra data was good. The model parameters were correlated with the contact area of the roots and/or stems raised in the hydroponic solution. The EIS method proved a useful non-destructive method for assessing root surface area. This work may be considered to be a new methodological contribution to understanding root systems and their functions in a non-destructive manner.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Analysis of the willow root system by electrical impedance spectroscopy

Cao

Repo

Silvennoinen

et al. 2010

Journal of Experimental Botany

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“…The most innovative aspect was the possibility of calculating the absorbing root surface area (ARSA) of individual mature trees, even though ARSA was anatomically not defined. Based on mathematically derived equations, the method was verified on allometric relationships (Čermák et al , 2006) and recently applied by Butler et al (2010). Basic assumptions, tacitly assumed to apply for the EIM, however, were not tested experimentally even though similar approaches clearly indicated extensive methodological limitations (Chloupek, 1972; Dvořák et al , 1981; Kendall et al , 1982; Dalton, 1995; Ozier-Lafontaine and Bajazet, 2005; Cao et al , 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the applicability of the earth impedance method for in situ studies of tree root systems

Urban

Bequet

Mainiero³

2011

Journal of Experimental Botany

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Several electrical methods have been introduced as non-invasive techniques to overcome the limited accessibility to root systems. Among them, the earth impedance method (EIM) represents the most recent development. Applying an electrical field between a cormus and the rooted soil, the EIM measures the absorptive root surface area (ARSA) from grounding resistance patterns. Allometric relationships suggested that this method was a valuable tool. Crucial assumptions for the applicability of the EIM, however, have not been tested experimentally. Focusing on tree root systems, the present study assesses the applicability of the EIM. Six hypotheses, deduced from the EIM approach, were tested in several experiments and the results were compared with conventional methods. None of the hypotheses could be verified and the results allow two major conclusions. First, in terms of an analogue electrical circuit, a tree-root–soil continuum appears as a serial circuit with xylem and soil resistance being the dominant components. Allometric variation in contact resistance, with the latter being the proxy for root surface area, are thus overruled by the spatial and seasonal variation of soil and xylem resistances. Second, in a tree-root–soil continuum, distal roots conduct only a negligible portion of the electric charge. Most of charge carriers leave the root system in the proximal parts of the root–soil interface.

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“…An exception is the impact of eventual anastomosis, which may simulate higher absorptive root area than would correspond to DBH. This method was tested in 12 woody species with a range of diameters (0.5 to 55 cm - Cermák et al 2006;and 0.5 to 120 cm, Cermák & Nadezhdina 2011c) and applied in practically oriented studies (Butler et al 2010, Simon & Cermák 2011. It can also be modified by the application of electrical impedance spectroscopy (Repo et al 2005, Cao et al 2010a, 2010b.…”

Section: Absorptive Root Area -Via the Modified Earth Impedance Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Open field-applicable instrumental methods for structural and functional assessment of whole trees and stands

Čermák¹,

Nadezhdina²,

Trcala³

et al. 2015

iForest

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© iForest -Biogeosciences and Forestry Introduction 1Proper management of forest ecosystems from a biological perspective is dependent on classification of the natural environment for the purposes of phytotechnology (e.g., thinning operations) and forestry management. Functional management goals may include timber production as well as other important functions of forests in the landscape, such as water sources for people, but also for control of climate, maintenance of biological diversity, recreation, etc. for which importance often increases with time. Such functions have been working automatically in the past, but serious environmental impacts on forests associated with anthropogenic activities (e.g., air pollution, soil acidification) and global climatic change became apparent at the end of the 20 th century.Therefore long-term experience of foresters should be supplemented with additional objective information, which may be used to help solve new problems. This includes application of modern electronics, computers and other technologies, as well as collection of necessary data in the field especially pertaining to ecophysiology. This review provides only a brief description of methods suitable for studies at the whole tree and stand levels (and even higher levels). The methods are applicable under open forest conditions using mobile instrumentation approaches that can be used almost everywhere. They were tested in more than 60 sites and in over 50 woody species in Europe, USA and Australia. We focused on measurement and evaluation of macrostructure and water flow, because the maximum energy flow in ecosystems goes through water and water is the most frequent natural limiting factor of tree growth and functional states of whole trees and stands (if not considering polar regions and tops of high mountains). Ecologically oriented scientific fields and practically oriented field activities in forestry, arboristics, horticulture, hydrology, remote sensing and forensic engineering use many traditional and modern methods.Annual and seasonal stem growth are probably the most frequently studied processes in forestry. Usually institutions for forest management (IFM) base their practices on this valuable data on a large scale (e.g., national), which provide crucial information about timber production and yield. A great body of literature is available on this topic. However, strategy for the management of forest ecosystems in Europe elaborated over several centuries is focused on classification of the natural environment and determining potential natural vegetation and oriented not only toward production but also on preserving other important functions of forests in the landscape. A detailed version of this approach was successfully applied for over 80 years. The eventual impact of anthropogenic activities and global climatic changes led to development of ecophysiological methods applied to evaluate the functional state and development of forest ecosystems.These methods were usually overlooked in the past because prev...

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Electrical measurement of tree root absorbing surfaces by the earth impedance method: 2. Verification based on allometric relationships and root severing experiments

Cited by 64 publications

References 58 publications

Analysis of the willow root system by electrical impedance spectroscopy

Analysis of the willow root system by electrical impedance spectroscopy

Assessing the applicability of the earth impedance method for in situ studies of tree root systems

Open field-applicable instrumental methods for structural and functional assessment of whole trees and stands

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