Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A comparison of root distribution of three hardwood species grown on a hillside in the Caspian forest, Iran

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Forest Research

Abstract

Slope is a complex environmental factor that can subject plants to a number of mechanical stresses. The anchorage of roots and improvement of slope stability mainly depend on specific properties of root systems, such as root distribution. In the present study, 24 trees (from three species) growing on gentle slopes (10–20°) were randomly chosen for root distribution analysis. The profile trenching method was used to obtain root characteristics. The findings indicated that root area ratio (RAR) decreased with depth and that maximum RAR values were observed in the upper layers; RAR values were between 0.0004% and 6.6444%. Average RAR values were not statistically different in upslope and downslope layers except in one case. The dot grid method (100 × 150 mm) usually overestimated the RAR values. The amount of roots decreased with depth following a power law. About 50% and 90% of roots were located in the first 30 and 60 cm depths, respectively. Results of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed a significant effect of diameter at breast height (DBH) on total RAR but not on the total number of roots. About 70% of roots had diameter of less than 10 mm. Spearman’s correlation showed significant negative correlation between the total number of roots and the amount of N, P, and K elements, and a positive correlation between DBH and RAR. The results serve to develop understanding of the biotechnical characteristics of root systems of Caspian species.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abernethy B, Rutherfurd D (2000) The effect of riparian tree roots on the mass-stability of riverbanks. Earth Surf Proc Land 25:921–937

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abernethy B, Rutherfurd D (2001) The distribution and strength of riparian tree roots in relation to riverbank reinforcement. Hydrol Process 15:63–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • American Society for Testing and Materials (1992) Annual Book of ASTM Standards, vol 04.08. ASTM, Philadelphia, PA

  • Bibalani GH (2001) Effect of some tree species on slope stability. PhD thesis, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran (in Persian)

  • Bischetti GB, Chiaradia EA, Simonato T, Speziali B, Vitali B, Vullo P, Zocco A (2005) Root strength and root area ratio of forest species in Lombardy (Northern Italy). Plant Soil 278:11–22

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bohm W (1979) Methods of studying root systems. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, p 188

    Google Scholar 

  • Burke MK, Raynal DJ (1994) Fine root growth phenology, production and turnover in a northern hardwood forest ecosystem. Plant Soil 162:135–146

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Canadell J, Roda F (1991) Root biomass of Quercus ilex in a mountain mediterranean forest. Can J For Res 21:1771–1778

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chiaradia EA, Bischetti GB (2004) Estimation of the effect of forest on soil slip phenomena by means of a spatially distributed model. In: Conference “The use of vegetation to improve slope stability”, Thessaloniki, Greece, 13–17 September 2004

  • Chiatante D, Scippa GS, Di Iorio A, Sarnataro M (2001) The stability of trees growing on slope depends upon a particular conformational structure imposed by mechanical stress in their root system. In: Radoglou K (ed) Proceedings of the International Conference: Forest Research: a challenge for an integrated European approach. Thessaloniki, Greece, pp 477–482

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiatante D, Sarnataro M, Fusco S, Di Iorio A, Scippa GS (2003a) Modification of root morphological parameters and root architecture in seedlings of Fraxinus ornus L. and Spartium junceum L. growing on slopes. Plant Biosyst 137:47–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiatante D, Scippa GS, Di Iorio A, Sarnataro M (2003b) The influence of steep slope on root system development. J Plant Growth Regul 21:247–260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coutts MP, Nicoll BC (1991) Orientation of the lateral roots of trees. Upward growth of surface roots and deflection near the soil surface. New Phytol 119:227–234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coutts MP, Nielsen CCN, Nicoll BC (1999) The development of symmetry, rigidity and anchorage in the structural root system of conifers. Plant Soil 217:1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Das BM (2005) Fundamentals of geotechnical engineering, 2nd edn. Nelson publications, 566p

  • Di Iorio A, Lasserre B, Scippa GS, Chiatante D (2005) Root system architecture of Quercus pubescens trees growing on different sloping conditions. Ann Bot 95:351–361

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fitter AH (1991) Characteristics and functions of root systems. In: Waisel Y, Eshel A, Kafkafi U (eds) Plant roots: the hidden half. Marcel Dekker, New York, pp 3–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Ganatsas P, Spanos P (2005) Root system asymmetry of Mediterranean pines. Plant Soil 278:75–83

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gartner BL (1994) Root biomechanics and whole-plant allocation patterns: responses of tomato plants to stem flexure. J Exp Bot 280:1647–1654

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman AM, Ennos AR (1996) A comparative study of the response of the roots and shoots of sunflower and maize to mechanical stimulation. J Exp Bot 47:1499–1507

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman AM, Ennos AR (1997) The responses of field-grown sunflower and maize to mechanical support. Ann Bot 79:703–711

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman AM, Ennos AR (1999) The effects of soil bulk density on the morphology and anchorage mechanics of the root systems of sunflower and maize. Ann Bot 83:293–302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray DH, Leiser AT (1982) Biotechnical slope protection and erosion control. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, p 271

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenway DR (1987) Vegetation and slope stability. In: Anderson MG, Richards KS (eds) Slope stability. Wiley, Chichester, pp 187–230

  • Greenwood JR, Norris JR, Wint JO (2006) Site investigation for the effects of vegetation on ground stability. Geotech Geol Eng 24:467–481

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson RB, Canadell J, Ehleringer JR, Mooney HA, Sala OE, Shulze ED (1996) A global analysis of root distribution for terrestrial biomes. Oecologia 108:389–411

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jafari M (2004) Methods of soil analysis, 1st edn. pp 167–205 (in Persian)

  • Jaffe MJ (1973) Thigmomorphogenesis: the response of plant growth and development to mechanical stimulation. Planta 114:143–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyford WH (1980) Development of the root system of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.). Harward Forest Paper 21, Petersham, p 30

    Google Scholar 

  • Majnounian B, Etter H (1993) Kheirud forest management revision plan. Iran J Nat Res Special issue: 1–102 (In Persian)

  • Makarova OV, Cofie P, Koolen AJ (1998) Axial stress–strain relationships of fine roots of Beech and Larch in loading to failure and in cyclic loading. Soil Till Res 45:175–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McGeehan SL, Naylor DV (1988) Automated instrumental analysis of carbon and nitrogen in plant and soil samples. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 19:493–505

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan RP, Rickson RJ (1995) Slope stabilization and erosion control—a bioengineering approach. Chapman and Hall, University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicoll BC, Ray D (1996) Adaptive growth of tree root systems in response to wind action and site conditions. Tree Physiol 16:891–898

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nilaweera NS (1994) Effects of tree roots on slope stability: the case of Khao Luang Mountain area, So Thailand. Dissert. No. Gt-93-2

  • Normaniza O, Faisal HA, Barakbah SS (2008) Engineering properties of Leucaena leucocephala for prevention of slope failure. Ecol Eng 32:215–221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Norusis MJ (2002) SPSS 15.0 Guide to data analysis. Prentice Hall, 637p

  • Olsen SR, Sommers LE (1982) Phosphorus. In: Page AL, Miller RH, Keeney DR (eds) Methods of soil analysis. Part 2, 2nd edn. Agronomy No. 9. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, pp 403–430

  • Quine CP, Burnand AC, Coutts MP, Reynard BR (1991) Effect of mounds and stumps on the root architecture of Sitka spruce on a peaty gley restocking site. Forestry 64:385–401

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saeed A (1994) Fundamentals of practical economics in forest management, 1st edn. Tehran University Press, Tehran, 207p (in Persian)

  • Schmid I, Kazda M (2001) Vertical distribution and radial growth of coarse roots in pure and mixed stands of Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies. Can J For Res 31:539–548

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt KM, Roering JJ, Stock JD, Dietrich WE, Montgomery DR, Schaub T (2001) The variability of root cohesion as an influence on shallow landslide susceptibility in the Oregon Coast Range. Can Geotech J 38:995–1024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shields FD, Gray DH (1993) Effects of woody vegetation on sandy levee integrity. Water Resour Bull 28:917–931

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon A, Collison AJC (2002) Quantifying the mechanical and hydrologic effects of riparian vegetation on streambank stability. Earth Surf Proc Land 27:527–546

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stokes A, Fitte AH, Coutts MP (1995) Responses of young trees to wind and shading: effects on root architecture. J Exp Bot 46:1139–1146

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stokes A, Nicoll BC, Coutts MP, Fitter A (1997) Responses of young Sitka spruce clones to mechanical perturbation and nutrition: effects on biomass allocation, root development and resistance to bending. Can J For Res 27:1049–1057

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stokes A, Norris JE, van Beek LPH, Bogaard T, Cammeraat E, Mickovski SB, Jenner A, Di Iorio A Fourcaud T (2008) How vegetation reinforces the soil on slopes. In: Norris J, Stokes A, Mickovski SB, Cammeraat E, Van Beek R, Nicoll BC, Achim A (eds) Slope stability and erosion control: ecotechnological solutions. Springer, New York, pp 65–118

  • Sun HL, Li SC, Xiong WL, Yang ZR, Cui BS, Yang T (2008) Influence of slope on root system anchorage of Pinus yunnanensis. Ecol Eng 32:60–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsukamoto Y, Kusakaba O (1984) Vegetation influences on debris slide occurrences on steep slopes in Japan. Paper presented to symposium on effects of forest land use on erosion and slope stability. Honolulu, Hawaii

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu TH, McKinnell WP, Swanston DN (1979) Strength of tree root and landslides on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. Can Geotech J 16:19–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou Y, Watts D, Li Y, Cheng X (1998) A case study of effect of lateral roots of Pinus yunnanensis on shallow soil reinforcement. For Ecol Manage 103:107–120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zobeiri M (2000) Forest inventory, 2nd edn. Tehran University Press, Tehran, 401p (in Persian)

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the University of Tehran. Prof. Alex Watson is thanked for his supportive comments and reviews during the preparation of this paper, and the kind help of Matt Sakals in reviewing and improving the English of the paper is also appreciated. The authors also express their sincere appreciation to the two anonymous reviewers for their helpful and detailed comments and suggestions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forestry, University of Tehran, 31587-77871, Karaj, Iran

    Ehsan Abdi, Baris Majnounian & Mahmud Zobeiri

  2. Department of Irrigation Engineering, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

    Hassan Rahimi

  3. Member of Ghods-Niroo Engineering Company, Tehran, Iran

    Zahra Mashayekhi

  4. Department of Forestry, Tarbiat Modares University, Nour, Iran

    Hamed Yosefzadeh

Authors
  1. Ehsan Abdi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Baris Majnounian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hassan Rahimi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mahmud Zobeiri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Zahra Mashayekhi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hamed Yosefzadeh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ehsan Abdi.

About this article

Cite this article

Abdi, E., Majnounian, B., Rahimi, H. et al. A comparison of root distribution of three hardwood species grown on a hillside in the Caspian forest, Iran. J For Res 15, 99–107 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10310-009-0164-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10310-009-0164-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation