title: Water release through plant roots: new insights into its consequences at the plant and ecosystem level.
abstract: Hydraulic redistribution (HR) is the passive movement of water between different soil parts via plant root systems, driven by water potential gradients in the soil-plant interface. New data suggest that HR is a heterogeneous and patchy process. In this review we examine the main biophysical and environmental factors controlling HR and its main implications at the plant, community and ecosystem levels. Experimental evidence and the use of novel modelling approaches suggest that HR may have important implications at the community scale, affecting net primary productivity as well as water and vegetation dynamics. Globally, HR may influence hydrological and biogeochemical cycles and, ultimately, climate.
authors.affiliation: Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (EEZA-CSIC), Carretera de Sacramento s/n, E-04120 La Cañada de San Urbano, Almería, Spain.
authors.forename: Iván
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Prieto
authors.affiliation: Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (EEZA-CSIC), Carretera de Sacramento s/n, E-04120 La Cañada de San Urbano, Almería, Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Armas
authors.affiliation: Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (EEZA-CSIC), Carretera de Sacramento s/n, E-04120 La Cañada de San Urbano, Almería, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Pugnaire
mesh_terms: D017753:Ecosystem; D038821:Mycorrhizae; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000382:microbiology / Q000502:physiology*; D012987:Soil; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D014867:Water