Author ORCID Identifier
Gökben Demir: 0000-0002-1368-067X
Johanna Clara Metzger: 0000-0001-5630-9283
Anke Hildebranst: 0000-0001-8643-1634
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2024
Abstract
Root water uptake depends on soil moisture which is primarily fed by throughfall in forests. Several biotic and abiotic elements shape the spatial distribution of throughfall. It is well documented that throughfall patterns result in reoccurring higher and lower water inputs at certain locations. However, how the spatial distribution of throughfall affects root water uptake patterns remains unresolved. Therefore, we investigate root water uptake patterns by considering spatial patterns of throughfall and soil water in addition to soil and neighboring tree characteristics. In a beech-dominated mixed deciduous forest in a temperate climate, we conducted intensive throughfall sampling at locations paired with soil moisture sensors during the 2019 growing season. We employed a linear mixed-effects model to understand controlling factors in root water uptake patterns. Our results show that soil water patterns and interactions among neighboring trees are the most significant factors regulating root water uptake patterns. Temporally stable throughfall patterns did not influence root water uptake patterns. Similarly, soil properties were unimportant for spatial patterns of root water uptake. We found that wetter locations (rarely associated with throughfall hotspots) promoted greater root water uptake. Root water uptake in monitored soil layers also increased with neighborhood species richness. Ultimately our findings suggest that complementarity mechanisms within the forest stand, in addition to soil water variability and availability, govern root water uptake patterns.
Volume
28
Issue
6
First Page
1441
Last Page
1461
DOI
10.5194/hess-28-1441-2024
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Rights
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Demir, G., Guswa, A. J., Filipzik, J., Metzger, J. C., Römermann, C., and Hildebrandt, A.: Root water uptake patterns are controlled by tree species interactions and soil water variability, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 1441–1461, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1441-2024, 2024.
Comments
Archived as published.