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A simulation model of the water uptake of a beech forest: testing variations in root biomass and distribution
Author(s) -
Schlichter T. M.,
van der Ploeg R. R.,
Ulrich B.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
zeitschrift für pflanzenernährung und bodenkunde
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1522-2624
pISSN - 0044-3263
DOI - 10.1002/jpln.19831460607
Subject(s) - beech , biomass (ecology) , environmental science , soil water , water extraction , root system , extraction (chemistry) , root (linguistics) , soil horizon , soil science , mathematics , agronomy , botany , chemistry , biology , chromatography , linguistics , philosophy
A validated mathematical model was used to simulate the effects of roots biomass and distribution on the water uptake of a 120‐year old beech (Fagus silvatica L.) stand located at Solling (West Germany). The modell was based on the soil‐water movement equation including an extraction term to account for the water uptake of the root system. This extraction term varies with the meteorological conditions, root density and soil water potential. Root biomass values considered were: 500 kg. ha −‐1 , 1000 kg. ha −‐1 , 2000 kg. ha −‐1 , 4000kg. ha −‐1 and 6000 kg. ha −‐1 . For each of these values, five different distributions were tested. These ranged between a soil profile 0.40m deep with high root concentration to a 1.00m soil profile with idealized uniform root distribution. The model was run under two different rainfall conditions: i) an uncommon dry year (1971), (ii) a hypothetical normal year without a dry period. The model showed the fundamental importance of the root distribution under the given meteorological conditions. This was more evident when the root biomass was low and medium. A good root distribution throughout the profile allowed the forest to overcome long dry periods. With the maximum root biomass value the distribution had no effect on the forest water uptake.