Hydraulic Properties of a Rock-Soil-Root System: Insights From Fraxinus ornus L. Saplings Growing on Different Carbonate Rocks.

ABSTRACT: Drought impacts trees in varied temporal and spatial patterns, suggesting that heterogeneity of below-ground water stores influences the fate of trees under water stress. Karst ecosystems rely on shallow soil overlying bedrock that can store available water in primary pores. A contribution of rock moisture to tree water status has been previously demonstrated, but actual mechanisms and rates of rock-to-root water delivery remain unknown. We report accurate measurements of hydraulic properties of two rock types (Breccia and Dolostone), of typical Karst red soil, and of roots of a common Karst tree species grown under different rock-soil combinations. Experimental data were used to build a water exchange model that supported the hypothesis that roots can extract water from porous and highly

SUBMITTER: Bert SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11963479 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature