Molecular Soil Biology 2024, Vol.15, No.4, 172-182 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 172 Research Insight Open Access Impact of Tree Root Structure on Soil Water Dynamics: Drought Adaptation Mechanisms and Ecological Significance Yueping Huang, Yuandong Hong, Kaiwen Liang Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resouces, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding email: kaiwen.liang@hitar.org Molecular Soil Biology, 2024, Vol.15, No.4 doi: 10.5376/msb.2024.15.0018 Received: 05 Jun., 2024 Accepted: 11 Jul., 2024 Published: 27 Jul., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Huang et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Huang Y.P., Hong Y.D., and Liang K.W., 2024, Impact of tree root structure on soil water dynamics: drought adaptation mechanisms and ecological significance, Molecular Soil Biology, 15(4): 172-182 (doi: 10.5376/msb.2024.15.0018) Abstract The study reveals several key findings. Firstly, tree roots exhibit a variety of adaptive responses to drought, including adjustments in root biomass, anatomical changes, and physiological acclimations. Specific root traits such as root depth, root length, and root hair density play crucial roles in water extraction and drought tolerance. Additionally, the presence of mycorrhizas significantly enhances root drought resistance by improving water and nutrient uptake. The research also highlights the importance of root hydraulics in maintaining water balance during critical growth stages. Furthermore, different tree species employ distinct metabolic and structural defense mechanisms to cope with drought, influenced by both root architecture and microbial interactions. The findings underscore the critical role of tree root structure in mediating soil water dynamics and drought adaptation. Understanding these mechanisms provides valuable insights into the ecological significance of root traits and their potential applications in forestry and agriculture. The study suggests that enhancing specific root traits through breeding or management practices could improve tree resilience to drought, thereby supporting ecosystem stability and productivity under changing climatic conditions. Keywords Tree roots; Soil water dynamics; Drought adaptation; Root traits; Ecological significance; Mycorrhizas; Root hydraulics; Metabolic responses 1 Introduction The relationship between tree root systems and soil water dynamics is a critical area of study, particularly in the context of increasing drought frequency and intensity due to climate change. Tree roots play a pivotal role in water uptake and distribution within the soil, which directly influences tree survival and ecosystem stability during drought conditions. Understanding the mechanisms by which tree roots adapt to and manage water stress is essential for predicting forest responses to environmental changes and for developing strategies to enhance ecological resilience. Tree root systems exhibit various strategies to cope with drought, including shifting water uptake to deeper soil layers or more reliable water sources, such as bedrock groundwater (Mackay et al., 2019). This ability to access deep water reserves is crucial for maintaining tree water potential and avoiding hydraulic failure during prolonged dry periods. Additionally, root systems can redistribute soil water internally, a process known as hydraulic redistribution, which helps alleviate root drought stress and supports overall plant water balance (Liu et al., 2023). The importance of root structure in drought adaptation extends beyond individual tree survival. Root dynamics influence soil moisture availability, which in turn affects forest carbon balance, nutrient cycling, and overall ecosystem functioning (Brunner et al., 2015). For instance, fine-root production and longevity can vary significantly under drought conditions, impacting the rate and depth of organic matter supply to the soil (Zwetsloot and Bauerle, 2021). Moreover, the interaction between different tree species and their root systems can modulate water use efficiency and drought resilience at the community level (Kinzinger et al., 2023). This study focuses on the role of tree root structure in managing soil moisture and its broader ecological implications. Specifically, we aim to investigate how different root structures and strategies contribute to soil
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