The effects of tree root density on water infiltration in urban soil based on a Ground Penetrating Radar in Shanghai, China

Autor: Lubing Yan, Anze Liang, Shengquan Che, Bingqin Yu, Shize Cai, Changkun Xie
Rok vydání: 2020
Předmět:
Zdroj: Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 50:126648
ISSN: 1618-8667
DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2020.126648
Popis: Urbanization often leads to soil compaction and reduces soil water infiltration rates which then increase runoff and flooding. Comparison of infiltration rates associated with tree root systems with different root distributions can help establish predictive models and improve species selection to mitigate runoff and flooding in urban environments. In Shanghai, 90 trees of 10 different species were scanned using a Ground Penetrating Radar. Soil properties were measured as well as the characteristics of the tree root systems, and their effects on infiltration were analyzed. Compared to the turf, tree roots increased the initial infiltration rate (53–330 %) and steady infiltration rate (89–2167 %). Trees with deep root distributions improved infiltration the most, followed by medium and shallow root distributions. Soil porosity and bulk density, the two most important factors that affect soil infiltration below 15 cm, became increasingly unfavorable to infiltration as the soil depth increased, which could be counterbalanced by the root systems. Relationship models of roots and soil infiltration in different soil layers were established to rapidly predict the infiltration of different tree species. Mixed planting of trees with different root distribution characteristics should be popularized, to ensure root systems develop at different soil depths, thus optimizing the infiltration effects of urban trees.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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