• Although hydraulic redistribution of soil water (HR) by roots is a widespread
phenomenon, the processes governing spatial and temporal patterns of HR are not
well understood. We incorporated soil/plant biophysical properties into a simple
model based on Darcy’s law to predict seasonal trajectories of HR.
• We investigated the spatial and temporal variability of HR across multiple years in
two old-growth coniferous forest ecosystems with contrasting species and moisture
regimes by measurement of soil water content (
θ
) and water potential (
Ψ
) throughout
the upper soil profile, root distribution and conductivity, and relevant climate variables.
• Large HR variability within sites (0–0.5 mm d
−
1
) was attributed to spatial patterns
of roots, soil moisture and depletion. HR accounted for 3–9% of estimated total site
water depletion seasonally, peaking at 0.16 mm d
−
1
(ponderosa pine;
Pinus ponderosa
)
or 0.30 mm d
−
1
(Douglas-fir;
Pseudotsuga menziesii
), then declining as modeled
pathway conductance dropped with increasing root cavitation.
• While HR can vary tremendously within a site, among years and among ecosystems,
this variability can be explained by natural variability in
Ψ
gradients and seasonal
courses of root conductivity.
• Although hydraulic redistribution of soil water (HR) by roots is a widespread
phenomenon, the processes governing spatial and temporal patterns of HR are not
well understood. We incorporated soil/plant biophysical properties into a simple
model based on Darcy’s law to predict seasonal trajectories of HR.
• We investigated the spatial and temporal variability of HR across multiple years in
two old-growth coniferous forest ecosystems with contrasting species and moisture
regimes by measurement of soil water content (
θ
) and water potential (
Ψ
) throughout
the upper soil profile, root distribution and conductivity, and relevant climate variables.
• Large HR variability within sites (0–0.5 mm d
−
1
) was attributed to spatial patterns
of roots, soil moisture and depletion. HR accounted for 3–9% of estimated total site
water depletion seasonally, peaking at 0.16 mm d
−
1
(ponderosa pine;
Pinus ponderosa
)
or 0.30 mm d
−
1
(Douglas-fir;
Pseudotsuga menziesii
), then declining as modeled
pathway conductance dropped with increasing root cavitation.
• While HR can vary tremendously within a site, among years and among ecosystems,
this variability can be explained by natural variability in
Ψ
gradients and seasonal
courses of root conductivity.
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