Abstract
Aims
Our objective was to identify the most accurate and simple non-destructive method for visualising a tree’s root system, based on the assumption that tree physiological processes affect subsurface physical properties. To investigate this, we tested four geoelectrical methods, i.e. electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), electromagnetic induction (EMI), modified earth impedance (MEI) and ground-penetrating radar (GPR), each providing geophysical maps representing the spatial distribution of physical quantities that allow for the identification of structural and functioning roots.
Methods
The four geoelectric methods were applied to a semi-solitary 13-year-old European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) ‘Atlas’ (diameter at breast height = 15.1 cm, height = 8.3 m) situated in a 14 × 14 m plot. Subsequently, we unearthed the roots using an air spade to visualise the actual root system. A 3D model and orthomosaic of the root system was then created from 177 photographs. Finally, root-zone maps from each technique were compared with the excavated root system to determine the spatial accuracy of each method.
Results
Our results showed that the spatial accuracy of each method used to detect root system structure (conduction zones) varied widely, ranging from 12.38% for MEI, to 44.59% for GPR, 74.54% for EMI and up to 92.66% for ERT. The results for functioning roots (absorption zones) also varied along the same gradient, ranging from 14.06% for MEI, 50.63% for GPR, 84.64% for EMI and up to 105% for ERT.
Conclusions
Based on our case study, ERT, followed by EMI, provided the most reliable reconstruction of a tree’s root system, with EMI successfully detecting many individual absorption zones.
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Data availability
The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Abbreviations
- AS:
-
Air spade
- AZ:
-
Absorption zone
- CZ:
-
Conduction zone
- EIM:
-
Earth impedance method
- EMA:
-
Effective method area
- EMI:
-
Electromagnetic induction
- ERS:
-
Exposed root system
- ERT:
-
Electrical resistivity tomography
- GLM:
-
Generalised linear model
- GPR:
-
Ground-penetrating radar
- MEI:
-
Modified earth impedance
- SWC:
-
Soil water content
- SWP:
-
Soil water potential
- UAV:
-
Unmanned aerial vehicle
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Acknowledgements
This research was supported by the Internal Grant Agency of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology (Project No.: LDF_VP_2017047). Geophysical investigation and data processing were carried out with the support of the Long-term Conceptual Development of Research Organisation (RVO 67985891). We greatly acknowledge support of the Center for Geosphere Dynamics (UNCE/SCI/006) and the Department of Phytoenergy of VUKOZ Průhonice. The authors thank Jaroslav Bubenik BSc. for technical help during field research and Dr. Kevin Roche for his help with English revision.
Funding
This research was supported by the Internal Grant Agency of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology (Project No.: LDF_VP_2017047). Geophysical investigation and data processing were carried out with the support of the Long-term Conceptual Development of Research Organisation (RVO 67985891). We greatly acknowledge support of the Center for Geosphere Dynamics (UNCE/SCI/006). The contribution of VUKOZ was funded by institutional support from the Department of Phytoenergy (VUKOZ-IP-00027073).
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Conceptualisation: [Robert Majewski, Jan Valenta, Jan Čermák]; Methodology: [Robert Majewski, Jan Valenta, Petr Tábořík]; Formal analysis and investigation: [Robert Majewski, Jan Valenta, Petr Tábořík, Jan Weger, Aleš Kučera, Zdeněk Patočka]; Writing—original draft preparation: [Robert Majewski]; Writing—review and editing: [Robert Majewski, Jan Valenta, Petr Tábořík, Jan Weger, Aleš Kučera, Zdeněk Patočka, Jan Čermák]; Funding acquisition: [Robert Majewski, Petr Tábořík, Jan Weger, Jan Čermák]; Supervision: [Jan Valenta, Jan Čermák].
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Majewski, R.S., Valenta, J., Tábořík, P. et al. Geophysical imaging of tree root absorption and conduction zones under field conditions: a comparison of common geoelectrical methods. Plant Soil 481, 447–473 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-022-05648-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-022-05648-2