ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the hydrological effects of several grass, shrub and tree species native to southern China and a temperate region of Europe on matric suction in sandy soil under different soil and plant densities. By establishing correlations with relevant above- and below-ground plant traits, the magnitude of suction induced by different plant types may be explained through plant ecology, anatomy and physiology. The effects of plant roots on soil water retention behaviour and water permeability are also discussed, providing the necessary experimental evidence to support the hypothesis and modelling assumptions made in simulating plant hydrological effects in Chapter 5.
