Detection frequency of Pinus thunbergii roots by ground-penetrating radar is related to root biomass

• DOI: 10.1007/s11104-012-1252-1
• Publication Date: 2012-05-01T05:01:49Z
• Authors: Yasuhiro Hirano; Rika Yamamoto; Masako Dannoura; Kenji Aono; Tetsurou Igarashi; Masahiro Ishii; Keitarou Yamase; Naoki Makita; Yoichi Kanazawa
• Keywords: Ground-Penetrating Radar; Pinus thunbergii

Aims Tree roots in forest soils can be detected using nondestructive ground-penetrating radar (GPR). However, few studies have investigated root detection frequency; i.e., how many and which roots are identified in a radar profile out of the total quantity of roots present in a forest stand. The objective of this study was to quantify root detection frequency and uncertainty, including relationships between root detection and radar parameters using 1.5 GHz GPR in a Pinus thunbergii forest on sandy soils.