Trees growing through impervious surfaces use shallower water sources: a stable isotope study

Abstract:

Trees growing through impervious surfaces can give an impact on hydrological cycle in urban areas by increasing ground permeability. Even though depth and distribution of the root can substantially alter the hydrological cycle, only a few studies have dealt with rooting depth and water use of trees growing through impervious surfaces. We compared the water sources of trees growing through impervious and pervious surfaces using a non-destructive stable isotope approach. We measured oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions from stem water and other potential water sources before and during the wet season. Oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions of stem water were measured, indicating that trees growing through the impervious surfaces used isotopically enriched water in both periods. An IsoSource model applied in the wet season showed that trees growing through impervious surfaces took most of their water from depths of around 20 cm, while the control trees took the greatest portion from a depth of 100 cm. Our results imply that urban trees growing through impervious surfaces might be vulnerable to drought and show the distinctive effect of urban plants on the redistribution of hydrological components.