| NUKLEONIKA 2002, 47(Supplement 1):s71-s74
THE USE OF THE STABLE OXYGEN ISOTOPE (18O) TO TRACE THE DISTRIBUTION AND UPTAKE OF WATER IN RIPARIAN WOODLANDSLuc Lambs, Jean-Pierre Loudes, Marie Berthelot Centre d’Ecologie des Systemes Aquatiques Continentaux (CESAC), UMR Universite-CNRS C5576, 29 rue Marvig, 31055 Toulouse Cedex 04, France Streamside vegetation forming narrow "corridors" in temperate regions, is typically dominated by deciduous tree species reflecting strong influences by human activities. Riparian woodlands depend on hydrological resources and have to adapt to rapid changes in water levels and soil moisture conditions. Three main water sources are typically present in the riparian zone: river water originating in the mountains, ground water and rainfall. Stable isotopes, such as oxygen-18, are useful tools which allow for water movement to be traced within the riparian zone and which help to identify water sources utilised by the trees growing in these areas. Close X |