Speculations on the application of foliar <sup>13</sup>C discrimination to reveal groundwater dependency of vegetation and provide estimates of root depth and rates of groundwater use
<p>Groundwater-dependent vegetation is globally distributed, having important ecological, social, and economic value. Along with the groundwater resources upon which it depends, this vegetation is under increasing threat through excessive rates of groundwater extraction.</p><p>I...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Copernicus Publications
2018-09-01
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| Series: | Hydrology and Earth System Sciences |
| Online Access: | https://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/22/4875/2018/hess-22-4875-2018.pdf |
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| author | R. Rumman J. Cleverly R. H. Nolan T. Tarin D. Eamus |
| author_facet | R. Rumman J. Cleverly R. H. Nolan T. Tarin D. Eamus |
| author_sort | R. Rumman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Groundwater-dependent vegetation is globally distributed, having important
ecological, social, and economic value.
Along with the groundwater resources upon which it depends, this vegetation
is under increasing threat through excessive rates of groundwater extraction.</p><p>In this study we examined one shallow-rooted and two deep-rooted tree species
at multiple sites along a naturally occurring gradient in
depth-to-groundwater. We measured (i) stable isotope ratios of leaves
(<i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C), xylem, and groundwater (<i>δ</i><sup>2</sup>H and
<i>δ</i><sup>18</sup>O); and (ii) leaf-vein density. We established that foliar
discrimination of <sup>13</sup>C (Δ<sup>13</sup>C) is a reliable indicator
of groundwater use by vegetation and can also be used to estimate rooting
depth. Through comparison with a continental-scale assessment of foliar
Δ<sup>13</sup>C, we also estimated the upper limits to annual rates of
groundwater use. We conclude that maximum rooting depth for both deep-rooted
species ranged between 9.4 and 11.2 m and that annual rates of groundwater
use ranged from ca. 1400 to 1700 mm for <i>Eucalyptus camaldulensis</i>
and from 600 to 900 mm for <i>Corymbia opaca</i>. Several predictions
about hydraulic and leaf traits arising from the conclusion that these two
species made extensive use of groundwater were supported by additional
independent studies of these species in central Australia.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T18:22:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2a6d7f7b6a894e058ee2a483bd770e96 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1027-5606 1607-7938 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T18:22:57Z |
| publishDate | 2018-09-01 |
| publisher | Copernicus Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Hydrology and Earth System Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-2a6d7f7b6a894e058ee2a483bd770e962022-12-21T22:52:01ZengCopernicus PublicationsHydrology and Earth System Sciences1027-56061607-79382018-09-01224875488910.5194/hess-22-4875-2018Speculations on the application of foliar <sup>13</sup>C discrimination to reveal groundwater dependency of vegetation and provide estimates of root depth and rates of groundwater useR. Rumman0J. Cleverly1R. H. Nolan2T. Tarin3D. Eamus4Terrestrial Ecohydrology Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, AustraliaTerrestrial Ecohydrology Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, AustraliaTerrestrial Ecohydrology Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, AustraliaTerrestrial Ecohydrology Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, AustraliaTerrestrial Ecohydrology Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia<p>Groundwater-dependent vegetation is globally distributed, having important ecological, social, and economic value. Along with the groundwater resources upon which it depends, this vegetation is under increasing threat through excessive rates of groundwater extraction.</p><p>In this study we examined one shallow-rooted and two deep-rooted tree species at multiple sites along a naturally occurring gradient in depth-to-groundwater. We measured (i) stable isotope ratios of leaves (<i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C), xylem, and groundwater (<i>δ</i><sup>2</sup>H and <i>δ</i><sup>18</sup>O); and (ii) leaf-vein density. We established that foliar discrimination of <sup>13</sup>C (Δ<sup>13</sup>C) is a reliable indicator of groundwater use by vegetation and can also be used to estimate rooting depth. Through comparison with a continental-scale assessment of foliar Δ<sup>13</sup>C, we also estimated the upper limits to annual rates of groundwater use. We conclude that maximum rooting depth for both deep-rooted species ranged between 9.4 and 11.2 m and that annual rates of groundwater use ranged from ca. 1400 to 1700 mm for <i>Eucalyptus camaldulensis</i> and from 600 to 900 mm for <i>Corymbia opaca</i>. Several predictions about hydraulic and leaf traits arising from the conclusion that these two species made extensive use of groundwater were supported by additional independent studies of these species in central Australia.</p>https://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/22/4875/2018/hess-22-4875-2018.pdf |
| spellingShingle | R. Rumman J. Cleverly R. H. Nolan T. Tarin D. Eamus Speculations on the application of foliar <sup>13</sup>C discrimination to reveal groundwater dependency of vegetation and provide estimates of root depth and rates of groundwater use Hydrology and Earth System Sciences |
| title | Speculations on the application of foliar <sup>13</sup>C discrimination to reveal groundwater dependency of vegetation and provide estimates of root depth and rates of groundwater use |
| title_full | Speculations on the application of foliar <sup>13</sup>C discrimination to reveal groundwater dependency of vegetation and provide estimates of root depth and rates of groundwater use |
| title_fullStr | Speculations on the application of foliar <sup>13</sup>C discrimination to reveal groundwater dependency of vegetation and provide estimates of root depth and rates of groundwater use |
| title_full_unstemmed | Speculations on the application of foliar <sup>13</sup>C discrimination to reveal groundwater dependency of vegetation and provide estimates of root depth and rates of groundwater use |
| title_short | Speculations on the application of foliar <sup>13</sup>C discrimination to reveal groundwater dependency of vegetation and provide estimates of root depth and rates of groundwater use |
| title_sort | speculations on the application of foliar sup 13 sup c discrimination to reveal groundwater dependency of vegetation and provide estimates of root depth and rates of groundwater use |
| url | https://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/22/4875/2018/hess-22-4875-2018.pdf |
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