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- Title
Leaf litter thickness, but not plant species, can affect root detection by ground penetrating radar.
- Authors
Tanikawa, Toko; Ikeno, Hidetoshi; Dannoura, Masako; Yamase, Keitarou; Aono, Kenji; Hirano, Yasuhiro
- Abstract
Aim: Ground penetrating radar (GPR), a nondestructive tool that can detect coarse tree roots, has not yet become a mature technology for use in forests. In this study, we asked two questions concerning this technology: (i) Does the leaf litter layer influence root detection and major indices based on the time interval between zero crossings ( T) and the amplitude area ( A)? (ii) Can GPR images discriminate roots of different plant species? Methods: Roots buried in a sandy bed, which was covered with different thicknesses of leaf litter, were scanned using a 900 MHz GPR antenna. Roots of four plant species in the bed were also scanned. Results: Leaf litter decreased root reflections without distorting the shape of the hyperbolas in the radar profile. A values decreased with increasing litter thickness, whereas T was independent of litter thickness. For all species combined, GPR indices were significantly correlated with root diameter. Conclusions: Leaf litter dramatically decreased root detection, but the influence of the litter could be ignored when the sum of T for all reflection waveforms (Σ T) is adopted to estimate root diameter. To use A values to detect roots, litter should be removed or equalized in thickness. Radar profiles could not reliably differentiate among roots belonging to plants of different species.
- Subjects
FOREST litter; ROOT growth; GROUND penetrating radar; PLANT species; PHYLLOSTACHYS pubescens
- Publication
Plant & Soil, 2016, Vol 408, Issue 1/2, p271
- ISSN
0032-079X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11104-016-2931-0