A combined tracer/evapotranspiration model approach estimates plant water uptake in native and non-native shrub-steppe communities
Here we test an experimental approach that produces estimates of the location, timing and extent of water uptake by individual plant species in the field. A tracer injection experiment was used to estimate the proportion of active roots across soil depths. These proportions were multiplied by species-specific estimates of evapotranspiration. This approach was repeated in early- and late-season conditions in adjacent native- and non-native-dominated shrub-steppe plant communities. Resulting estimates of water uptake by depth were compared to soil water content.