Variation in Root Density along Stream Banks

Wynn, T. M.; Mostaghimi, Saied; Harpold, A. A.; Henderson, Marc; Henry, Leigh-Anne

doi:10.1061/40695(2004)12

Cited by 24 publications

(35 citation statements)

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“…Gyssels et al (2005) showed that while dense root systems produced by a mix of small trees, shrubs, and grasses were important in maintaining slope stability, shallow dense root networks produced by grasses appear to be more effective in protecting soils from water erosion by concentrated flow. It is also the case that fine and small roots (0.5-2.0 mm in diameter) at deeper soils (root depth>30 cm) with high tensile strength, especially for tree species, are more efficient in supporting stream bank stability (Davidson et al 1989;Wynn et al 2004;Wynn and Mostaghimi 2006). The grasses and shrubs are optimum cover types for slope stabilization largely due to their large numbers of small, strong roots (Li.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Linking fine root and understory vegetation to channel erosion in forested hillslopes of southwestern China

Zhou

et al. 2014

Plant Soil

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Aims The forestland understory vegetation reduces concentrated overland flow through infiltration improvement by roots and raindrop interception by surface cover. However, little has been done to quantify the linkages between understory vegetation cover, roots, and channel erosion, and such information can help assessing the role of the reforestation in soil erosion control. In this study, we evaluated the relationships between channel density, root density, and vegetation cover in forested hillslopes of southwestern China. Methods Twelve locations (four slopes and three positions) of forested hillslopes with a wide range of understory degradation due to litterfall extraction and livestock grazing were selected for the study. Channel density as a measure of rill and (small) gully erosion, root density of different diameter classes, and vegetation cover of all types were determined using field measuring, soil coring and the line transect method, respectively. Soil loss rates were estimated using the caesium-137 ( 137 Cs) technique. Results Rills (depth<0.3 m) with a width of 0.05-0.1 m were the dominate channel erosion in all hillslopes with understory-degradation, and small gullies (depth>0.3 m) with a width 0.5-1.0 m were found at the locations of hillslopes with high understory-degradation. Channel density and soil loss rate increased with the increase in understory-degradation in the forested hillslopes. Simple correlation analysis indicated that channel density was negatively correlated with fine root density (diameter< 1 mm and 1-2 mm) and grass and shrub covers, but not with coarse roots (diam. 2-5 mm and 5-10 mm) and mulch and tree covers. The principal component regression revealed fine root density (diam. <1 mm), shrub and grass covers were the most important predictors for channel density in the forested hillslopes. Tree cover, mulch cover and coarse root density were found to have much less influence on channel density. For the model established from this study using principle component regression, vegetation variables could explain 82 % variance of channel density.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Linking fine root and understory vegetation to channel erosion in forested hillslopes of southwestern China

Zhou

et al. 2014

Plant Soil

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“…Field and numerical modeling research has also demonstrated that the addition of roots to streambanks improves stability under a range of hydrological conditions (Abernathy and Rutherfurd, 2000, Wynn et al, 2004, Wynn and Mostaghimi, 2006and Pollen, 2007. However, the additional cohesive strength added to the streambank from the perennial grasses on the bank surface was not considered in this research.…”

Section: Soil Parameter Estimationmentioning

confidence: 94%

Evaluation of the bank stability and toe erosion model (BSTEM) for predicting lateral retreat on composite streambanks

2012

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“…The root structure of herbaceous vegetation differs from other vegetation types, such as shrubby and woody vegetation. Herbaceous vegetation shows a more graminoid-shaped root structure, including fibrous roots (Wynn et al, 2004;Burylo et al, 2011), as opposed to shrubby and woody vegetation, which include a taplike root system without fibrous roots (Burylo et al, 2011). These differences in root structure cause differences in erosional resistance.…”

Section: Rmsd (M Yrmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphodynamic regime change in a reconstructed lowland stream

2014

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Abstract.With the aim to establish and understand morphological changes in response to channel reconstruction, a detailed monitoring plan was implemented in a lowland stream called Lunterse Beek, located in the Netherlands. Over a period of almost 2 years, the monitoring programme included serial morphological surveys, continuous discharge and water level measurements, and riparian vegetation mapping, from photographs and field surveys. Morphological processes occurred mainly in the initial period, before riparian vegetation developed. The initial period was largely dominated by upstream sediment supply, which was associated with channel incision upstream from the study area. Herbaceous vegetation started to develop approximately 7 months after channel reconstruction. The monitoring period included two growing seasons. A clear increase of riparian vegetation cover from first to the second year was observed. Detailed morphological and hydrological data show a marked difference in morphological behaviour between the pre-vegetation and post-vegetation stage. A linear regression procedure was applied to relate morphological activity to time-averaged Shields stress. In the initial stage after channel reconstruction, with negligible riparian vegetation, channel morphology adjusted, showing only a weak response to the discharge hydrograph. In the subsequent period, morphological activity in the channel showed a clear relation with discharge variation. The two stages of morphological response to the restoration measures may be largely associated with the upstream sediment supply in the initial period. Riparian vegetation may have played a substantial role in stabilizing the channel banks and floodplain area, gradually restricting the morphological adjustments to the channel bed.

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Variation in Root Density along Stream Banks

Cited by 24 publications

References 0 publications

Linking fine root and understory vegetation to channel erosion in forested hillslopes of southwestern China

Linking fine root and understory vegetation to channel erosion in forested hillslopes of southwestern China

Evaluation of the bank stability and toe erosion model (BSTEM) for predicting lateral retreat on composite streambanks

Morphodynamic regime change in a reconstructed lowland stream

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