Effects of vegetation roots on the structure and hydraulic properties of soils: A perspective review

This paper aims to provide a state-of-the-art review on the effects of vegetation roots on the soil structure and soil hydraulic properties. After a thorough review of current studies, the effects of vegetation roots are summarized into four: root exudation, root penetration, root water uptake and root decay. Root exudates alter the size and stability of aggregates, the contact angle of soil, and the viscosity and surface tension of pore fluid; root exudates of crops always increase the soil water retention capacity and decrease the soil saturated hydraulic conductivity. Root penetration creates new pores or clogs existing pores during root growth, and root parameters (e.g., root biomass density, root diameter and root length density) are well correlated to soil hydraulic properties. Root water uptake can apparently increase the soil water retention capacity by providing an additional negative pressure and induce micro-fissures and macropores in the rhizosphere soil. Root decay modifies the pore structure and water repellency of soil, resulting in the increase of soil macro-porosity, soil water retention, and the saturated hydraulic conductivity or steady infiltration rate. Some of the above four effects may be difficult to be distinguished, and most importantly each is highly time-dependent and influenced by a multitude of plant-related and soil-related factors. Therefore, it remains a significant challenge to comprehend and quantify the effects of vegetation roots on the soil structure and soil hydraulic properties. Unsolved questions and disputes that require further investigations in the future are summarized in this review.