Generally root systems of tree are divided into coarse root system and fine root system. As well as fine root system, coarse root system is important to well growth of tree too. Based on the data observed at Ejina Banner Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China from May to July of 2006, using fractal theory and statistical method, the relationship between coarse root system distribution of Populus euphratica Oliv. and soil moisture in root zone was analyzed. Root system of tree has a typical fractal characteristic. For a fractal system, its exterior form is complex, while the fractal dimension (D) is a constant. So we computed D of coarse root system and mean soil moisture (E) in root zone of each sample tree, got a function between D and E. This function shows how does the coarse root system of Populus euphratica Oliv. change in different soil moisture in root zone. So we can judge coarse root distribution of Populus euphratica Oliv. by the function. If E is less than 11.02%, then root fractal dimensions increase with E; if E is more than 11.02%, root fractal dimensions decrease with E. Based on the function, we got an interval of E, (5%, 24.5%), in which Populus euphratica Oliv. grows more well.
Response of Coarse Root Distribution of Populus euphratica Oliv. to Soil Moisture in Extreme Arid Region China
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