Root morphology and biomechanical characteristics of high altitude alpine plant species and their potential application in soil stabilization

Hudek, Csilla; Sturrock, Craig J.; Atkinson, Brian S.; Stanchi, Silvia; Freppaz, Michèle

doi:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2017.05.048

Cited by 39 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…This high risk of soil erosion is further enhanced by climate change, which is increasing the frequency and intensity of rainfall events in the alpine region (Anache et al 2018;Nearing et al 2004) and accelerating glacial retreat, leaving fresh and unconsolidated glacial debris behind (Gobiet et al 2014). Together with anthropogenic pressure induced by tourism and land-use changes, this leads to an increased risk of natural hazards provoked by soil erosion such as landslides and debris flows (Gobiet et al 2014;Hudek et al 2017b). Hence, understanding the development of hillslope stability and identifying its drivers in alpine habitats is key to avoiding further soil degradation and connected risks to human safety in these areas (Hudek et al 2017b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Root density drives aggregate stability of soils of different moraine ages in the Swiss Alps

et al. 2021

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Aims The stability of hillslopes is an essential ecosystem service, especially in alpine regions with soils prone to erosion. One key variable controlling hillslope stability is soil aggregate stability. We aimed at identifying dominant controls of vegetation parameters on aggregate stability and analysed their importance for soil aggregate stability during landscape development. Methods We quantified the aggregate stability coefficient (ASC) and measured plant cover, diversity, root mass and root length, density (RMD, RLD) along two chronosequences with contrasting bedrocks (siliceous, calcareous) in the Swiss Alps. Results We found that ASC developed slower along the calcareous chronosequence. Furthermore, we observed a significant positive effect of vegetation cover and diversity on ASC that was mediated via root density. These relationships developed in a time-depended manner: At young terrain ages, vegetation parameters had a strong effect on aggregate stability compared to older stages. Moreover, RLD was the most powerful predictor of ASC on young terrain, whereas on older moraines RMD became more important. Conclusions We highlight that root density plays a major role in governing ASC for soils differing in moraine ages. The changing importances of RLD and RMD for ASC development suggest different mechanistic linkages between vegetation and hillsope stability during landscape development.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Root density drives aggregate stability of soils of different moraine ages in the Swiss Alps

et al. 2021

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“…Moreover, root systems are of substantial importance for soil stabilization, since roots increase the effective cohesion of soil particles by the excretion of exudates (e.g. Gyssels et al, 2005; Hudek et al, 2017a; Hudek et al, 2017b; Pintaldi et al, 2018). Pioneering plants such as Epilobium fleischeri can be species with a great rooting depth and an intense rhizome spreading (Figure 9).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although pioneer plants already start to populate young surfaces that were exposed to the atmosphere – e.g. after glacier melt – after a few years to decades, it may take centuries for a soil to become sufficiently hospitable for plants to form a dense vegetation cover (Conen et al, 2007; Burga et al, 2010; D'Amico et al, 2014; Hudek et al, 2017a). It is known that soil evolution (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid decrease of soil erosion rates with soil formation and vegetation development in periglacial areas

Musso

Ketterer

Greinwald

et al. 2020

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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“…In contrast, D. octopetala cover is patchier at the tread at Lobe 1, and grassland species E. myosuriodes and later successional shrub Salix spp. patches are more abundant, both species indicate stabilization (Hudek, Sturrock, Atkinson, Stanchi, & Freppaz, ). At the risers of all lobes, later successional woody tree and shrub species ( Salix spp., P. cembra ) and other species ( E. fleischeri ) also indicate relatively stable conditions as they are sensitive to disturbance by soil movement (Ellenberg, ; Jonasson, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Divergence, convergence, and path dependency of paraglacial adjustment of alpine lateral moraine slopes

Draebing

Eichel

2018

Land Degrad Dev

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Lateral moraines represent important sediment storages and are one of the most dynamic areas within glacier forelands. Following glacier retreat, lateral moraine slopes adjust as their material is reworked by paraglacial processes. Previous research focused primarily on the role of gullying, however, path‐dependent slope adjustment and divergent adjustment of lateral moraine slopes are poorly understood. We report data from geomorphic and vegetation mapping, electrical resistivity tomography, soil moisture measurements, and soil texture analysis acquired in the Turtmann glacier foreland in the Swiss Alps where periglacial processes are abundant. We demonstrate that paraglacial slope adjustment shows divergent, convergent, and path‐dependent behaviour. Steep proximal moraine slopes are first eroded by gullying processes. When moraine slopes reach a threshold angle of 30°, the importance of solifluction increases, and solifluction processes subsequently rework debris flow deposits. In contrast, more gently inclined distal slopes are below the threshold angle immediately following glacier retreat and biogeomorphic feedbacks result in an earlier onset of solifluction processes. We identified two different types of turf‐banked solifluction lobes based on their temporal development and genesis. Lobe Type 1 develops on distal moraine slopes and reworks glacial till, whereas Lobe Type 2 evolves from debris flow deposits at the footslopes of the lateral moraines. Both lobe types can only be differentiated using actual shape. Overprinting by subsequent geomorphic processes can result in equifinal and convergent forms such as solifluction sheets from the Last Glaciation. Our study provides an actualistic example of how paraglacial solifluction in 90 to 150 years rapidly reworks glacial sediments.

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Root morphology and biomechanical characteristics of high altitude alpine plant species and their potential application in soil stabilization

Cited by 39 publications

References 59 publications

Root density drives aggregate stability of soils of different moraine ages in the Swiss Alps

Root density drives aggregate stability of soils of different moraine ages in the Swiss Alps

Rapid decrease of soil erosion rates with soil formation and vegetation development in periglacial areas

Divergence, convergence, and path dependency of paraglacial adjustment of alpine lateral moraine slopes

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