Patch vegetation and water redistribution above and below ground in south-east Spain

Archer, N. A. L. and Quinton, John and Hess, T. M. (2012) Patch vegetation and water redistribution above and below ground in south-east Spain. Ecohydrology, 5 (1). pp. 108-120. ISSN 1936-0592

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Abstract

Two sites, one dominated by Anthyllis cytisoides and the other by Retama sphaerocarpa in south-east Spain were instrumented to measure soil matric potential to a soil depth of 1 m and soil water content to 2·75 m depth within shrubs and grass areas. Soil cores and underground surveys were taken to estimate root length and soil texture, ground cover volume was measured and runoff traps were installed to estimate overland flow in grass and shrub areas. The outcome of the results was summarised as a conceptual model to describe the flow of water within patch vegetation, where the main dominating factor of patch vegetation was found to be the function of shrub canopy/root systems. The results illustrated that not only the dynamics of runoff/runon between grass and shrub areas were significant in redistributing rainfall, but also the morphology of shrub species caused significant differences to the accumulation and movement of water in shrub zones. A comparison of growth and flowering times of grass and shrub species showed that soil water availability for each species differs throughout the year. Such an understanding of water movement within patch vegetation of different species shows that sustainable management practices of semi-arid areas must take into account not only natural vegetation patterns, but also the function of each plant type.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Ecohydrology
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/core/keywords/environmentalscience/sustainablewatermanagement
Subjects:
?? patch vegetationshrub rootssemi-aridsoil moisturewater redistributionwater infiltrationsustainable water managementecologyecology, evolution, behavior and systematicsearth-surface processesaquatic science ??
ID Code:
51375
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
24 Nov 2011 09:02
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
15 Jul 2024 12:30