Root-soil interactions at the plant community level along Mediterranean road-side secondary succession

Aliaksandr Kolbas , Amandine Erktan (1) , Alexia Stokes (1) , Francois Pailler (1) , Thierry Fourcaud (1)

1 UMR AMAP - Botanique et Modélisation de l'Architecture des Plantes et des Végétations

Traffic activity is the main source of trace element (TE) emissions to roadside soils, and higher TE concentrations can be found in the soils and plant along the roads with heavy traffic. The purpose of this study is to examine the large scale of TE concentrations in soils and plants in close proximity to traffic to help elucidate associated elemental deposition and soil-to-root transfers along Mediterranean road-side secondary succession. Obtained original results of TEs content (ICP-MS) in soils and plants show the different strategies of their behavior and interactions at community level. Changes in the concentrations and mineralomass indicate the existence of pollution sources. Some of TEs can accumulate as a result of anthropogenic emissions in the soil, the essential elements trends to transfer in plants. Along the 62 years succession there was a significant change in the structure of plant communities and soil composition. The soils show an accumulation of organic matter, associated with decarbonatation process, which can change the mobility and bioavailability of TEs. The availability of soil macronutrients remained low across the gradient. Early-successional stages communities showed fine soft roots, with high nitrogen content growing in poor organic soils. Late-successional stages communities showed important masses of coarse though roots, with high carbon concentration, growing in organic-rich soils. Mowing curb the variations of morphological root traits, especially in late-successional stages communities. Relationships between the morphological and chemical parameters of plant and soil traits were investigated for determining relevant plant endpoints and allows use the obtained data in the subsequent biomonitoring. Biomass removal for mowing can change not only the productivity of the communities, but also the behavior of trace elements. Plant and soil characteristics determine the role of vegetation in providing services and thus are useful information for ecosystem services delivery

Mots clés: Root-soil interactions; Plant community; Trace element emissions; Roadside soils

Mots clés: éco ingénierie; interaction sol racine; herault

Domaines: Sciences du Vivant [q-bio]

Aliaksandr Kolbas, Amandine Erktan, Alexia Stokes, Francois Pailler, Thierry Fourcaud. Root-soil interactions at the plant community level along Mediterranean road-side secondary succession. EcoSummit 2016 Ecological Sustainability: Engineering Change, Aug 2016, Montpellier, France. ⟨hal-01837368⟩