Plant-Soil Responses to Environmental Extremes

Background

A complex mix of physical, chemical and biological interactions occur within the plant-soil zone. Soil is influenced by root secretions and soil microorganisms in the rhizosphere (surrounding the plant root) and by plant water and nutrient uptake within the vadose zone (above the water table).   

There is a need for enhanced interdisciplinary understanding of the plant-soil zone and its response to environmental extremes, in order to preserve critical ecosystem services in the face of climate change. At the local scale this impacts food and fibre production, soil erodibility, pollutant uptake, the managed rural environment and the built environment. More widely this influences land atmosphere coupling, with implications for climate change prediction, land use management and landscape scale developments.    

The community will address some key research questions: 

• How does plant water uptake hydraulically strengthen and stiffen soils? 
• How do plant roots mechanically stabilise soils during erosion and ground movement? 
• Will increased plant growth and transpiration mitigate soil erosion in response to climate change? 
• How can we utilise the plant-soil zone to improve ecological, water management and engineering resilience to environmental extremes?

Project Summary

The community held a sandpit event to connect GW4 researchers from relevant disciplines to share expertise and raise awareness of research facilities and equipment. Delegates attended from all GW4 institutions and across academic disciplines and departments (Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Geography, Plant Biochemistry, Earth-System Science and Biological Sciences). The event facilitated discussion and idea generation related to the four key research questions. Four common research themes were identified within the community and new collaborations were formed. The community took ideas forward into grant proposals.