Reliance of creek-side river red gums on creek water

1994 ◽  
Vol 45 (8) ◽  
pp. 1439 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJ Thorburn ◽  
LJ Mensforth ◽  
GR Walker

Measurements of naturally occurring stable isotopes of hydrogen (2H) and oxygen (18O) were used to determine the importance of creek waters to river red gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh., Myrtaceae) on the banks of creeks in the semi-arid and saline Chowilla floodplain region of South Australia. The 2H and 18O concentrations of water sampled from trees were significantly different from those of the creek water, indicating that, generally, trees were not obtaining all their water from the creek. This was found even in trees overlying highly saline groundwater. Thus, saline groundwater and/or soil water were important water sources for the trees studied. The results indicated that the water relations of these trees are complex, and the trees may be less affected by changes in creek flow and/or salinity than was previously anticipated.

1995 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 453 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Gibson ◽  
EP Bachelard ◽  
KT Hubick

The morphology and physiology of Eucalyptus camaldulensis seedlings grown from seed collected from two locations in the dry tropics, two in the humid tropics and two in semi-arid Northern Australia were compared in phytotron growth cabinets under well-watered and water-limited conditions and diurnal temperature ranges of 30-25 and 22-15�C. Seedlings from the two locations in each climate resembled each other more closely than they resembled seedlings from the other climates across the range of conditions tested. When water-limited, seedlings from the dry tropical and semi-arid climates had a higher allocation of dry matter to roots than seedlings from the humid tropics. However, those from the dry tropics shed their lower leaves and initiated small-leaved axillary shoots while those from the semi-arid climate retained their leaves and did not produce axillary shoots. In contrast, seedlings from the humid tropics responded by reduced gas (CO2 and H2O) exchange without changes in morphology or allocation of dry matter. These responses are appropriate for growth in each climate and are consistent with observations made on wild trees in the field, on trees in plantations overseas and also with data from seedlings grown in earlier glasshouse experiments.


2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 3405-3418 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Alaghmand ◽  
S. Beecham ◽  
A. Hassanli

Abstract. In the lower River Murray in Australia, a combination of a reduction in the frequency, duration and magnitude of natural floods, rising saline water tables in floodplains, and excessive evapotranspiration have led to an irrigation-induced groundwater mound forcing the naturally saline groundwater onto the floodplain. It is during the attenuation phase of floods that these large salt accumulations are likely to be mobilised and discharged into the river. This has been highlighted as the most significant risk in the Murray–Darling Basin and the South Australian Government and catchment management authorities have subsequently developed salt interception schemes (SIS). The aim of these schemes is to reduce the hydraulic gradient that drives the regional saline groundwater towards the River Murray. This paper investigates the interactions between a river (River Murray in South Australia) and a saline semi-arid floodplain (Clark's floodplain) that is significantly influenced by groundwater lowering due to a particular SIS. The results confirm that groundwater extraction maintains a lower water table and a higher amount of fresh river water flux to the saline floodplain aquifer. In terms of salinity, this may lead to less solute stored in the floodplain aquifer. This occurs through three mechanisms, namely extraction of the solute mass from the system, reducing the saline groundwater flux from the highland to the floodplain and changing the floodplain groundwater regime from a losing to a gaining one. It is shown that groundwater extraction is able to remove some of the solute stored in the unsaturated zone and this can mitigate the floodplain salinity risk. A conceptual model of the impact of groundwater extraction on floodplain salinization has been developed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 715-731 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel Gaj ◽  
Matthias Beyer ◽  
Paul Koeniger ◽  
Heike Wanke ◽  
Josefina Hamutoko ◽  
...  

Abstract. Stable isotopes (deuterium, 2H, and oxygen-18, 18O) of soil water were measured in the field using a liquid water isotope analyzer (tunable off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscope, OA-ICOS, LGR) and commercially available soil gas probes (BGL-30, UMS, Munich) in the semi-arid Cuvelai–Etosha Basin (CEB), Namibia. Results support the applicability of an in situ measurement system for the determination of stable isotopes in soil pore water. High spatial and temporal resolution was achieved in the study area with reasonable accuracy and measurements were in agreement with laboratory-based cryogenic vacuum extraction and subsequent cavity ring-down laser spectroscopic isotope analysis (CRDS, L2120-i, Picarro Inc.). After drift and span correction of the in situ isotope data, precision for over 140 measurements taken during two consecutive field campaigns (June and November 2014) was 1.8 and 0.48 ‰ for δ2H and δ18O, respectively. Mean measurement trueness is determined using quality check standards and was 5 and 0.3 ‰ for δ2H and δ18O, respectively. The isotope depth profiles are used quantitatively to calculate a soil water balance. The contribution of transpiration to total evapotranspiration ranged between 72 and 92 %. Shortly after a rain event, the contribution of transpiration was much lower, at 35 to 50 %. Potential limitations of such an in situ system are related to environmental conditions which could be minimized by using a temperature-controlled chamber for the laser spectrometer. Further, the applicability of the system using previously oven-dried soil material might be limited by physicochemical soil properties (i.e., clay minerals). Uncertainty in the in situ system is suggested to be reduced by improving the calibration procedure and further studying fractionation effects influencing the isotope ratios in the soil water, especially at low water contents. Furthermore, the influence of soil-respired CO2 on isotope values within the root zone could not be deduced from the data.


1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 243 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Akilan ◽  
R. C. C. Farrell ◽  
D. T. Bell ◽  
J. K. Marshall

Summary. Effects of waterlogging by fresh and salt water on growth, water use, stomatal conductance and net gas exchange of 2 clones (M80 and M66) of river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.) were studied under glasshouse conditions for 16 weeks over winter. Both clones tolerated extended periods of waterlogging with fresh water without effects on growth, stomatal conductance or net gas exchange. Formation of adventitious roots in the soil surface under waterlogging with fresh water was earlier in clone M80 than clone M66, as was recovery in water use. Thus, clone M80 may be more tolerant of soil saturation with fresh water than clone M66. In contrast, clone M66 may be more suited to saline conditions. Greater uptake of Na+ and Cl- occurred in clone M80. Lower water uptake of salt water and possibly greater tissue tolerance of salt by clone M66 may lead to greater survival under conditions where plants use saline groundwater. The results suggest that clone M80 would survive and utilise water when planted further upslope of highly salinised areas, with clone M66 better able to survive closer to such areas. The variation demonstrated between clones of E. camaldulensis indicates closer matching of their reclamation potential and the environmental conditions of damaged catchments should be possible.


2004 ◽  
Vol 53 (1-6) ◽  
pp. 182-186
Author(s):  
H. S. Ginwal ◽  
Pradip Kumar ◽  
V. K. Sharma ◽  
A. K. Mandal

Abstract Results of a provenance trial of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. laid out in 2001 at Seothi (30° N Lat., 76° E Long. and 250 m altitude) Haryana, a semi-arid region of India are reported and discussed. Six seed sources from Australia viz. Laura River, Emu Creek, Degrey River, Wiluna, Kennedy River, Morehead River were evaluated from nursery stage (3 months) to field performance (2 year). Two sources viz. E.tereticornis (Helenvele, Qld) and FRI-4 a local seed source were used as control (check material). Significant differences between the seed sources at nursery stage were observed for collar diameter (P < 0.05) and number of leaves (P < 0.01). At age 2 years, significant differences between the seed sources (P < 0.05) were observed for height and field survival. The two seed sources viz. Emu Creek Petford, QLD and Laura river, QLD ranked first and second for height and survival at this age. Results indicate that genetic differences exist between the sources of E. camaldulensis. None of the traits assessed (viz. height, collar diameter, number of leaves, number of branches and survival) was found to correlate with any of the geographical coordinates of the site (latitude, longitude and altitude). There were fair differences between phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variability. Heritability values were fairly high for height and clear bole length in comparison to collar diameter, number of branches and survival. The relative performance of these provenances was fairly consistent throughout the period of observation. The two sources viz. Laura river, QLD and Emu Creek Petford, QLD are recommended for potential source for plantation programme under semi-arid conditions.


Author(s):  
Silva Raynara Ferreira da ◽  
Sousa Moema Barbosa de ◽  
Silva Aluísio Costa ◽  
Marinho Eduardo Silva ◽  
Dias Bruna Anair Souto

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1137
Author(s):  
Xihong Cui ◽  
Zheng Zhang ◽  
Li Guo ◽  
Xinbo Liu ◽  
Zhenxian Quan ◽  
...  

To analyze the root-soil water relationship at the stand level, we integrated ground-penetrating radar (GPR), which characterized the distribution of lateral coarse roots (>2 mm in diameter) of shrubs (Caragana microphylla Lam.), with soil core sampling, which mapped soil water content (SWC) distribution. GPR surveys and soil sampling were carried out in two plots (Plot 1 in 2017 and Plot 2 in 2018) with the same size (30 × 30 m2) in the sandy soil of the semi-arid shrubland in northern China. First, the survey area was divided into five depth intervals, i.e., 0–20, 20–40, 40–60, 60–80, and 80–100 cm. Each depth interval was then divided into three zones in the horizontal direction, including root-rich canopy-covered area, root-rich canopy-free area, and root-poor area, to indicate different surface distances to the canopy. The generalized additive models (GAMs) were used to analyze the correlation between root distribution density and SWC after the spatial autocorrelation of each variable was eliminated. Results showed that the root-soil water relationship varies between the vertical and horizontal directions. Vertically, more roots are distributed in soil with high SWC and fewer roots in soil with low SWC. Namely, root distribution density is positively correlated with SWC in the vertical direction. Horizontally, the root-soil water relationship is, however, more complex. In the canopy-free area of Plot 1, the root-soil water relationship was significant (p < 0.05) and negatively correlated in the middle two depth intervals (20–40 cm and 40–60 cm). In the same two depth intervals in the canopy-free area of Plot 2, the root-soil water relationship was also significant (p < 0.01) but non-monotonic correlated, that is, with the root distribution density increasing, the mean SWC decreased first and then increased. Moreover, we discussed possible mechanisms, e.g., root water uptake, 3D root distribution, preferential flow along roots, and different growing stages, which might lead to the spatially anisotropic relationship between root distribution and SWC at the stand level. This study demonstrates the advantages of GPR in ecohydrology studies at the field scale that is challenging for traditional methods. Results reported here complement existing knowledge about the root-soil water relationship in semi-arid environments and shed new insights on modeling the complex ecohydrological processes in the root zone.


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