@article{fdi:010080404,
  title = {{W}ater uptake plasticity of savanna trees in encroached grassland : small trees match the mature trees},
  author = {{G}rellier, {S}. and {J}aneau, {J}ean-{L}ouis and {R}ichard, {P}. and {F}lorsch, {N}. and {W}ard, {D}. and {B}ariac, {T}. and {L}orentz, {S}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{P}rocesses linked to woody plant encroachment in grassland are still not well understood, especially the interactions between trees and soil water availability. {O}ur aim was to study the depth of water uptake by trees in grassland and its controlling factors. {W}e studied water uptake in {V}achellia sieberiana trees (hereafter called 'acacias') in a humid grassland of {S}outh {A}frica. {W}e especially studied the effect of size classes of acacias and their position in the catena on water potential (psi) of acacia leaves and water uptake depth of acacias across seasons, as inferred from isotope delta {O}-18 values of soil and stem water samples. {A}cacias were more water stressed in {F}ebruary (wet season) with the most negative water potentials. {T}aller acacias (>3 m height) were more water-stressed (psi +/- {SD} = -1.62 +/- 0.81 {MPA}) than smaller acacias (<1 m height) (psi +/- {SD} = -1.32 +/- 0.80 {MPA}). {I}n {S}eptember (end of dry season), all tree size classes uptake water equally in {A} and {B} soil horizons. {I}n {F}ebruary (middle of the wet season), tall, medium and even small trees favoured the {B} horizon. {S}mall trees had similar plasticity in water uptake to taller trees and could modify depth of water uptake between seasons. {T}his process could increase their probability of becoming adults, and may favour tree encroachment in grasslands.},
  keywords = {encroachment ; isotopes ; oxygen 18 ; {S}outh {A}frica ; {V}achellia sieberiana ; {AFRIQUE} {DU} {SUD}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{A}frican {J}ournal of {R}ange and {F}orage {S}cience},
  volume = {38},
  numero = {3},
  pages = {231--243},
  ISSN = {1022-0119},
  year = {2021},
  DOI = {10.2989/10220119.2020.1834453},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010080404},
}