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Aims <p>This study aims to investigate how the dynamic process of root decomposition influences soil water infiltration by altering soil structure in forest ecosystems, addressing a critical knowledge gap in understanding soil hydrology under changing environmental conditions.</p> Methods <p>In addition to measuring moisture infiltration, we used soil structural variables from computed tomography (CT) scans and tested whether CT-based soil structural variables correlated with soil moisture infiltration. Correlations between moisture infiltration and soil structure were analyzed by Pearson correlation. Direct and indirect effects of root decomposition time and soil structure on water infiltration were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM).</p> Results <p>(1) root decomposition significantly affects soil water infiltration; (2) root decomposition changes soil stability infiltration rate by directly or indirectly affecting soil structure.</p> Conclusions <p>This study shows root decomposition in <i>Cunninghamia lanceolata</i> and <i>Pinus taeda</i> plantations significantly improves soil water infiltration. Initial infiltration rates increased by 211% (<i>Cunninghamia</i>) and 445% (<i>Pinus</i>) over 360&#xa0;days, driven by enhanced pore volume from organic matter release. Maximum stable infiltration and total water storage (103% and 143% increases) peaked at 240&#xa0;days due to improved pore connectivity. A novel paraffin coating method combined with CT scanning quantified these changes non-destructively. Findings reveal root decomposition's critical role in enhancing soil hydrological function, offering insights for sustainable forest management. Future research should examine root traits (e.g., length density) and pore dynamics to refine mechanisms.</p>

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Vertically oriented roots affect soil water infiltration by decomposition and altering soil structure: An examination based on CT technology and innovation in soil infiltration research methods

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月11日

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  • Yingzhou Tang,
  • Jingwei Lian,
  • Chong Li,
  • Xuefei Cheng,
  • Zhaohui Jia,
  • Xin Liu,
  • G. Geoff Wang,
  • Lu Zhai,
  • Lei Wang,
  • Dezong Sui,
  • Jinchi Zhang

摘要

Aims

This study aims to investigate how the dynamic process of root decomposition influences soil water infiltration by altering soil structure in forest ecosystems, addressing a critical knowledge gap in understanding soil hydrology under changing environmental conditions.

Methods

In addition to measuring moisture infiltration, we used soil structural variables from computed tomography (CT) scans and tested whether CT-based soil structural variables correlated with soil moisture infiltration. Correlations between moisture infiltration and soil structure were analyzed by Pearson correlation. Direct and indirect effects of root decomposition time and soil structure on water infiltration were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Results

(1) root decomposition significantly affects soil water infiltration; (2) root decomposition changes soil stability infiltration rate by directly or indirectly affecting soil structure.

Conclusions

This study shows root decomposition in Cunninghamia lanceolata and Pinus taeda plantations significantly improves soil water infiltration. Initial infiltration rates increased by 211% (Cunninghamia) and 445% (Pinus) over 360 days, driven by enhanced pore volume from organic matter release. Maximum stable infiltration and total water storage (103% and 143% increases) peaked at 240 days due to improved pore connectivity. A novel paraffin coating method combined with CT scanning quantified these changes non-destructively. Findings reveal root decomposition's critical role in enhancing soil hydrological function, offering insights for sustainable forest management. Future research should examine root traits (e.g., length density) and pore dynamics to refine mechanisms.