Water uptake patterns and rooting depths of Tamarix ramosissima in the coppice dunes of the Gurbantünggüt Desert, China: a stable isotope analysis

Abstract Tamarix ramosissima has an important role in stabilizing sand dunes in desert ecosystems. Understanding the water use strategies of T. ramosissima is essential to understand its adaptations on coppice dunes. We utilized the stable isotopes δ 2 H and δ 18 O in soil water, groundwater, and xylem water to identify monthly differences in water sources. Additionally. we explored rooting depth using 2 H 2 O as an artificial tracer. In May, T. ramosissima derived 75% of its water from shallow and middle soil layers. In July, it absorbed 90% water from middle and deep soil layers. In August and September, it acquired approximately 80% of its water from deep soil layers. The labelling using 2 H as an artificial tracer indicated that the root system of T. ramosissima could reach depths >500 cm in the coppice dunes. 2 H absorption was observed at depths of 100, 200, 300 and 400 cm. Soil water is the dominant water source for T. ramosissima in the coppice dunes because groundwater is at depths >30 m. The flexible water‐use strategies of T. ramosissima enable it to effectively utilize different available water sources to adapt to the arid environment. These findings improve our understanding of water uptake patterns and drought adaptation strategies of T. ramosissima in the coppice dunes of desert ecosystems.