Challenging the maximum rooting depth paradigm in grasslands and savannas

Grasslands and Savannas

Woody encroachment decreases diversity across North American grasslands and savannas.

Woody encroachment is a widespread and acute phenomenon affecting grasslands and savannas worldwide. We performed a meta-analysis of 29 studies from 13 different grassland/savanna communities in North America to determine the consequences of woody encroachment on plant species richness. In all 13 communities, species richness declined with woody plant encroachment (average decline = 45%). Speci...

Challenging the pressure sore paradigm.

This study determines the effectiveness of a new low-unit-cost support system in patients at very high risk of developing pressure sores. In a prospective randomised controlled trial, a low-pressure inflatable mattress and cushion system (Repose) was compared to a dynamic support mattress (Nimbus II) used in conjunction with an alternating-pressure cushion (Alpha TranCell) in 80 patients with f...

Maximum flood depth characterizes above-ground biomass in African seasonally shallowly flooded grasslands

Flood depth has been frequently used to explain the distribution of plant species in seasonally flooded grasslands, but its relation with vegetation production has remained ambiguous. The relationship between flooding and above-ground biomass at the end of the flooding season and during the dry seasonwas studied to assess the impact of reflooding on the Logone floodplain, Cameroon. Above-ground...

Hydrologic regulation of plant rooting depth.

Plant rooting depth affects ecosystem resilience to environmental stress such as drought. Deep roots connect deep soil/groundwater to the atmosphere, thus influencing the hydrologic cycle and climate. Deep roots enhance bedrock weathering, thus regulating the long-term carbon cycle. However, we know little about how deep roots go and why. Here, we present a global synthesis of 2,200 root observ...