Plant roots key to water movement and wetland restoration

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A new study has revealed the critical role of plant roots in enhancing water movement through wetland soils, offering valuable insights for ecosystem restoration and water management in coastal and saline wetlands in Western Australia.

The collaborative research between The University of Western Australia and Beijing Forestry University uncovered the pivotal role of plant roots in the movement of water through the soils of the Yellow River Delta.

Published in the Journal of Plant Ecology, the study used X-ray technology to examine tiny channels or "macropores" in the soil, which are formed by plant roots and crab burrows.

The research found that soils with more macropores facilitated easier water movement, which is especially beneficial for wetland environments.

Lumeng Xie, principal author and a visiting Ph.D. student with the Center for Water and Spatial Science at UWA, said the vegetation-soil-hydrology process formed an interconnected whole in wetland ecosystems, where any single component could impact the health of the entire system.

"Our research highlights the importance of root-induced soil pores in improving the hydrological function of wetland soils," she said.

Xie's modeling of various plant species with different root growth patterns revealed that denser root systems near the surface significantly improved water movement.

This finding underscored the role of plant growth in restoring wetlands by enhancing soil structure and water flow, which supports ecosystems dependent on healthy soil and water interactions.

"Importantly, the selection of plant species for revegetation efforts can profoundly affect soil and water conditions, thereby influencing sustainable restoration practices," Xie said.

"This knowledge is crucial for guiding future conservation and restoration projects in wetland areas such as the Yellow River Delta and Western Australia's saline or degraded wetlands."

Supporting author and research fellow Dr. Peisheng Huang, from the Center for Water and Spatial Science, said the study underscored the value of international collaboration.

"It's inspiring to see how research conducted in China can have both local and global applications, fostering international collaboration and connecting the next generation of scientists worldwide," Dr. Huang said.

More information: Lumeng Xie et al, Soil macropores induced by plant root as a driver for vertical hydrological connectivity in Yellow River Delta, Journal of Plant Ecology (2024). DOI: 10.1093/jpe/rtae019

Provided by University of Western Australia