Effects of water absorption by tree roots on spatial variation in surface soil water conditions on a forested hill slope

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26850096
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Forest science
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Oda Tomoki 東京大学, 大学院農学生命科学研究科(農学部), 特任助教 (70724855)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 土壌水分 / 森林斜面 / 硝酸態窒素 / 吸水深度 / 地表面蒸発

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study evaluated the effects of water uptake by trees on spatial variation in surface soil water content on a forested hill slope. Soil water content, canopy interception, ground evaporation, physical properties of soil and fine root volume in the surface layer were measured in upper and lower hill slope plots, and the effects of water uptake were estimated using model simulations. Spatial variation in soil water content was mainly explained by spatial patterns of physical characteristics of the soil. The effects of water uptake depth of trees and evaporation were weaker.

Free Research Field

農学