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The phenomenon of Foliar Water Uptake - mechanisms and consequences with a focus on temerate plant species
Oramová, Viktorie ; Lhotáková, Zuzana (advisor) ; Ponert, Jan (referee)
The ability of plants to absorb water through leaves has been a matter of the sientific discussion for a long time. Among the epiphytic species (tilandsies for example), reduced root system and foliar water uptake (FWU) is considered an adaptation for life in soil-less environment, and FWU is a necesssity. It was surprising, that the same ability has been discovered in plant species with normally developed root system. Over the time, new pieces of evidence about FWU in broad range of plant species has been published and FWU is getting universal for all plants, across the taxonomic groups or biomes, including temperate zone. The systematic focus on FWU and continuity of its research is lacking and therefore the knowledge about FWU is still only partial. This bachelor's thesis is focused on mechanisms of FWU and the leaf structures that may mediate it. The ability of water to pervade cuticle through aquatic pores is discussed, together with the possibility of water absorption by stomata, trichomes, hydathodes or epiphylic organisms. Another discussed topic is the use of this water by plant - improving of the water regime, refilling of the embolized xylem vessels, possible exudation by roots etc. The matter of FWU has other consequences on the ecosystem level, like in water cycle or the plant's...
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Hydraulic redistribution and within community plant relations
Lörinc, Filip ; Lhotáková, Zuzana (advisor) ; Tylová, Edita (referee)
Hydraulic redistribution is a widespread process of passive water transport through the plant root system along the gradient of water potential. This process significantly affects other plant belowground and aboveground processes. Water can be transported in several directions by hydraulic redistribution. The aim of the first part of this thesis is to summarize the knowledge about the operation of hydraulic redistribution. It describes the causes and consequences of the hydraulic redistribution as well as its main types. Subsequently, mainly vertical hydraulic redistribution is observed, the main components of which are the hydraulic lift and the hydraulic descent. The second part focuses on how vertical hydraulic redistribution can influence the interactions among plants and the functioning of the whole ecosystem. The answer to this question is sought in the savanna plant life, which is composed of scattered trees and their grassy understory. Savanna plants are exposed to dry and wet seasons, which creates a changing soil gradient of water potential throughout the year, which is of great interest for hydraulic redistribution research. This thesis shows that woody species have a competitive advantage over the grassy understory due to the presence of a hydraulic descent. Competition between trees...
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Hydraulic redistribution and within community plant relations
Lörinc, Filip ; Lhotáková, Zuzana (advisor) ; Tylová, Edita (referee)
Hydraulic redistribution is a widespread process of passive water transport through the plant root system along the gradient of water potential. This process significantly affects other plant belowground and aboveground processes. Water can be transported in several directions by hydraulic redistribution. The aim of the first part of this thesis is to summarize the knowledge about the operation of hydraulic redistribution. It describes the causes and consequences of the hydraulic redistribution as well as its main types. Subsequently, mainly vertical hydraulic redistribution is observed, the main components of which are the hydraulic lift and the hydraulic descent. The second part focuses on how vertical hydraulic redistribution can influence the interactions among plants and the functioning of the whole ecosystem. The answer to this question is sought in the savanna plant life, which is composed of scattered trees and their grassy understory. Savanna plants are exposed to dry and wet seasons, which creates a changing soil gradient of water potential throughout the year, which is of great interest for hydraulic redistribution research. This thesis shows that woody species have a competitive advantage over the grassy understory due to the presence of a hydraulic descent. Competition between trees...
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