Journal
PLANT AND SOIL
Volume 324, Issue 1-2, Pages 31-42Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s11104-009-9920-5
Keywords
Response traits; Uprooting; Erosion; Marls
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
In marly catchments of the French Southern Alps, soils are subjected to harsh water erosion that can result in concentrated flows uprooting small plants. Evaluating and predicting plant resistance to uprooting from simple plant traits is therefore highly important so that the most efficient plant strategy for future restoration of eroded slopes can be defined. Twelve species growing on marly land were studied. For each species, in-situ lateral uprooting tests were conducted and morphological plant traits were measured on small plants at the early stages of their development. The results show that maximum uprooting force was most positively correlated with stem basal diameter. Resistance to uprooting depends on a combination of several traits. Tap root length, the proportion of fine lateral roots and root topology were the best predictors of anchorage strength.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available