Root Architecture of Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) Trees in Relation to Post‐Mining Deep Ripping in Western Australia

摘要: This research aimed to investigate coarse root systems of Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata Donn ex Sm.) trees at a 13-year-old restored bauxite mine site in south-western Australia. Excavations an area with small (lowquality site) revealed that deep ripping equipment failed penetrate the cemented lateritic subsoil, restricting roots (roots >5 mm diameter) top 0.5 m soil profile, resulting fewer (1,344 stems/ha) and smaller (mean height 4.5 m) trees. An adjacent within same pit (high-quality site), stand density 3,256 stems/ha mean 8.0 m, had kaolinitic clay subsoil which penetrated average depth (1.5 m). Trees low-quality did not their taproot, relying instead on large number lateral (5.3‐8.0/tree) sinker (12.0‐16.5/tree) roots. Taproots crests high-quality also contrast site, they produced (2.3 2.0/tree, respectively). riplines highquality directly ripline these (5.0 3.7/ tree, respectively) than those site. appear have opportunistic capable responding variety conditions encountered post-mining landscape.