Shrub roots, ability to use different water sources, and adaptation to desert habitats – Desertification

In water-scarce environments, the sources of water used by desert shrubs are crucial for understanding hydrological processes. Here, we investigated the oxygen stable isotope ratios (d ¹⁸O) Stem water Nitraria sibiricum and the content of precipitation, groundwater and soil water at different levels to determine the possible water sources of the shrub. The results showed that the shrub uses a mixture of soil water, recent precipitation and groundwater in different seasons, with shallow lateral roots and deep taproots (sinking roots). During the wet period (spring), stem water accounts for a large part of the shrub’s stem water. Nepenthes sibirica The water comes from snowmelt and recent precipitation, but as summer rainfall decreases at this site, use of these sources declines dramatically. Nepenthes sibirica Deep soil water from the taproot is used primarily to support aboveground growth while also keeping shallow lateral roots adequately hydrated. This flexibility allows the plant to maintain normal metabolic processes during extended periods of low precipitation and extremely dry upper soils. As winter approaches and precipitation increases, the proportion of water at the base of the plant stem that comes from the taproot (deep soil water or groundwater) decreases again. These results suggest that shrub root distribution and morphology are the most important determinants of their ability to utilize different water sources, and their adjustment of water availability is important for adaptation to desert habitats.

See the text: Springer