Variability in the tensile resistance of roots in Alpine forest tree species

Vergani, Chiara; Chiaradia, Enrico Antonio; Bischetti, Gian Battista

doi:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2012.04.036

Cited by 74 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 59 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Variation in root tensile strength is high among species and environments and even between individuals of a particular species within the same environments (Abdi et al 2010). Tensile force-root diameter and tensile strength-root diameter data had a positive and negative relationship, respectively, as mentioned in previous studies (Nilaweera 1994;Gray, Sotir 1996;Bischetti et al 2005;Vergani et al 2012;Ji et al 2012). Tensile strength data presented in this paper were compared with those for tree species (Greenway 1987).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 54%

“…The root tensile strength values showed that the smallest roots were the most resistant and that the root strength decreases with increasing diameter, following a power equation (regarding R square and standard error of estimation) as found by many other authors (e.g. Bischetti et al 2005;Genet et al 2005;de Baets et al 2008;Vergani et al 2012). Bischetti et al (2005) suggested that the exponent of the power law equation (β) controls the rate of strength decay with diameter, whereas α can be considered as a scale factor.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the other hand, the soil is strong in compression and weak in tension. A combined matrix of soil and roots results in a reinforced soil (Genet et al 2005;Vergani et al 2012). When the soil is sheared, roots mobilize their tensile strength whereby shear stresses that develop in the soil matrix are transferred to the root fibres via interface friction along the root length (Gray, Barker 2004) or via the tensile resistance of the roots (de Baets et al 2008).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Effect of Oriental beech root reinforcement on slope stability (Hyrcanian Forest, Iran)

Abdi

2014

J. For. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Vegetation significantly affects hillslope mechanical properties related to shallow landslides and slope stability. The objective of this study was to investigate and quantify the effect of Oriental beech root reinforcement on slope stability. A part of Hyrcanian forest in northern Iran was selected for the study area. To do the research, the Wu model (WM) was used and data related to the distribution and tensile strength of Oriental beech roots were collected. Root distribution was assessed using the concept of the root area ratio and trenching method. Laboratory tensile tests were conducted on fresh roots for strength characteristics. The factor of safety was calculated for two different soil thicknesses (1 and 2 m) and slope gradients between 10 and 45°. The results showed that the root distribution generally decreased with increasing soil depth and the mean root strength value was 38.23 ± 1.19 MPa for 0.35-5.60 mm diameter range. The results verified a power relationship between tensile strength and root diameter. The reinforcement effect (C r ) decreased with depth and the strongest reinforcement effect was in the second soil layer (10-20 cm) which showed a shear strength increase of 1.47 kPa. The increased factor of safety due to the presence of roots in one-and two-metre soil thicknesses was 27-44% and 15-26%, respectively. The improvement effect of roots was increased with increasing slope gradient and shallower soil thicknesses.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 54%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effect of Oriental beech root reinforcement on slope stability (Hyrcanian Forest, Iran)

Abdi

2014

J. For. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Comparing force values obtained by tensile test with the results obtained by Vergani et al (2014a) on silver fir roots, live roots of spruce are significantly stronger than live silver fir roots; 5 year degraded roots are significantly stronger than 3 and 2 years degraded silver fir roots. Live spruce roots force values obtained in this study are in the range of the values obtained by live spruce roots from different sites in the Italian Alps (Vergani et al, 2012).…”

Section: Root Mechanical Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 53%

Root reinforcement dynamics in subalpine spruce forests following timber harvest: a case study in Canton Schwyz, Switzerland

Vergani

Schwarz

Soldati

et al. 2016

CATENA

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Root reinforcement is a key factor when dealing with slope stability problems and is an important quantitative criterion for the evaluation of the protective function of forests against shallow landslides, as well as for the adoption of appropriate practices in protection forest management.Although many models have been developed to estimate root reinforcement, a reliable quantification that considers both its spatial and temporal variability still remains a challenge. This work aims to extend the understanding of the long term spatial and temporal dynamics of root reinforcement after forest harvest in subalpine spruce forests by supplying new experimental data and applying a state-of-the-art model.We estimated root reinforcement decay 5, 10 and 15 years after timber had been harvested in spruce stands in a small catchment in the Swiss Alps. We collected root distribution data at different distances from the trees and calibrated and validated a root distribution model (RootDis). To

show abstract

“…The portion of conifers should be preserved, in particular fir and larch; spruce is less suitable. Root tensile and root cohesion tests in Italian Alps show that beech roots are significantly more resistant and offer greater reinforcement of soil than spruce roots (Bischetti et al 2005, Vergani et al 2012). In addition, spruce is less suitable for these sites as compared to beech, due to its susceptibility to bark beetles, (three times) lower mechanical resistance to rockfall and weak compartmentalization of trunks after damage (Stokes et al 2005).…”

Section: Nais Stands and Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of the protective function of forests against debris flows in a gorge of the Slovenian Alps

Fidej¹,

Mikoš²,

Rugani³

et al. 2015

iForest

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

© iForest -Biogeosciences and Forestry IntroductionTraditional land use (agriculture and forestry) is being abandoned in the Alps due to socioeconomic changes, while an increasingly larger area is being used for tourism and infrastructure, which requires protection from natural hazards. Forests provide permanent protective functions, but only if they are properly and sustainably managed (Ott et al. 1997, O'Hara 2006, Mizunaga et al. 2010. There has been a general decline in forest management in Europe (Forest Europe 2010) and in the Alps in particular, where it is difficult to achieve positive economic returns (Schütz 1996). Climate change has increased the frequency of extraordinary weather phenomena, which causes higher risk from natural hazards and weakening of forest stability (Seidl et al. 2011). In many Alpine countries, state subsidies are used to facilitate the management of forests with direct protective functions (Mayer & Ott 1991, Brang et al. 2006. In order to maximize protective effects with minimal costs, a thorough understanding of natural hazards, their impact areas, and the potential role of forests is necessary (Lopez Saez et al. 2011). A detailed delineation of forest areas with direct protective functions is necessary to determine the areas where state subsidies should be directed. In addition, forest profile models must be developed to inform silvicultural measures and to verify their success (Mayer & Ott 1991, Berger & Rey 2004, Frehner et al. 2005.In Switzerland a method for the delineation of forests with direct protection functions was developed as part of the Silvaprotect-CH project: a standardized delineation of protection forests at the state level. The procedure involves multiple, stepwise modules that generate the actual forest areas with direct protection functions (Giamboni & Wehrli 2008). In France, the zoning classification of mountain forests with direct protection functions and the mapping of hazards and prohibition of the construction of infrastructure in risk areas were identified as the most effective preventive approach to ensure the maintenance of protective functions (Berger & Rey 2004). In Austria, a distinction is made between two types of protection forests: site-protection forests and infrastructure-protection forests, the latter also including forests that protect against noise and light pollution (Schima & Singer 2008). Delineation methods of forests in which slope processes (e.g., erosion, landslides, debris flow, etc.) are present differs among the federal states (Ziegner 2002).The negative effects of disturbances are best mitigated by uneven aged forests, where the presence and distribution of trees provide protection against natural hazards, and the ability to replace damaged trees with existing regeneration provides elasticity (O'Hara 2006). For such forests it is necessary to determine a (modified) selection forest target profile. In Switzerland the NaiS -Nachhaltigkeit und Erfolgskontrolle im Schutzwald is used for the management of protection forests (Fr...

show abstract

Variability in the tensile resistance of roots in Alpine forest tree species

Cited by 74 publications

References 59 publications

Effect of Oriental beech root reinforcement on slope stability (Hyrcanian Forest, Iran)

Effect of Oriental beech root reinforcement on slope stability (Hyrcanian Forest, Iran)

Root reinforcement dynamics in subalpine spruce forests following timber harvest: a case study in Canton Schwyz, Switzerland

Assessment of the protective function of forests against debris flows in a gorge of the Slovenian Alps

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About