Articles | Volume 20, issue 8
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-3441-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-3441-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
A thermodynamic formulation of root water uptake
Anke Hildebrandt
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Jena, Germany
Max-Planck-Institut für Biogeochemie, Jena, Germany
Axel Kleidon
Max-Planck-Institut für Biogeochemie, Jena, Germany
Marcel Bechmann
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Jena, Germany
Max-Planck-Institut für Biogeochemie, Jena, Germany
Viewed
Total article views: 7,579 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Cumulative views and downloads
(calculated since 21 Dec 2015)
| HTML | XML | Total | Supplement | BibTeX | EndNote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,408 | 1,845 | 326 | 7,579 | 463 | 194 | 216 |
- HTML: 5,408
- PDF: 1,845
- XML: 326
- Total: 7,579
- Supplement: 463
- BibTeX: 194
- EndNote: 216
Total article views: 6,545 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Cumulative views and downloads
(calculated since 29 Aug 2016)
| HTML | XML | Total | Supplement | BibTeX | EndNote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,901 | 1,405 | 239 | 6,545 | 463 | 180 | 204 |
- HTML: 4,901
- PDF: 1,405
- XML: 239
- Total: 6,545
- Supplement: 463
- BibTeX: 180
- EndNote: 204
Total article views: 1,034 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Cumulative views and downloads
(calculated since 21 Dec 2015)
| HTML | XML | Total | BibTeX | EndNote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 507 | 440 | 87 | 1,034 | 14 | 12 |
- HTML: 507
- PDF: 440
- XML: 87
- Total: 1,034
- BibTeX: 14
- EndNote: 12
Cited
11 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Entropy and optimality in river deltas A. Tejedor et al. 10.1073/pnas.1708404114
- Estimates of tree root water uptake from soil moisture profile dynamics C. Jackisch et al. 10.5194/bg-17-5787-2020
- Exploring soil moisture dynamics and variability across scales and geological settings using gaussian mixture-long short-term memory networks B. Bischof et al. 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.134364
- A topographic index explaining hydrological similarity by accounting for the joint controls of runoff formation R. Loritz et al. 10.5194/hess-23-3807-2019
- Measurements and modeling of hydrological responses to summer pruning in dryland apple orchards M. Ye et al. 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2020.125651
- Picturing and modeling catchments by representative hillslopes R. Loritz et al. 10.5194/hess-21-1225-2017
- Energy states of soil water – a thermodynamic perspective on soil water dynamics and storage-controlled streamflow generation in different landscapes E. Zehe et al. 10.5194/hess-23-971-2019
- Root lateral interactions drive water uptake patterns under water limitation E. Agee et al. 10.1016/j.advwatres.2021.103896
- Root water uptake patterns are controlled by tree species interactions and soil water variability G. Demir et al. 10.5194/hess-28-1441-2024
- HESS Opinions Catchments as meta-organisms – a new blueprint for hydrological modelling H. Savenije & M. Hrachowitz 10.5194/hess-21-1107-2017
- Multi-fold increase in rainforest tipping risk beyond 1.5–2 °C warming C. Singh et al. 10.5194/esd-15-1543-2024
11 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Entropy and optimality in river deltas A. Tejedor et al. 10.1073/pnas.1708404114
- Estimates of tree root water uptake from soil moisture profile dynamics C. Jackisch et al. 10.5194/bg-17-5787-2020
- Exploring soil moisture dynamics and variability across scales and geological settings using gaussian mixture-long short-term memory networks B. Bischof et al. 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.134364
- A topographic index explaining hydrological similarity by accounting for the joint controls of runoff formation R. Loritz et al. 10.5194/hess-23-3807-2019
- Measurements and modeling of hydrological responses to summer pruning in dryland apple orchards M. Ye et al. 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2020.125651
- Picturing and modeling catchments by representative hillslopes R. Loritz et al. 10.5194/hess-21-1225-2017
- Energy states of soil water – a thermodynamic perspective on soil water dynamics and storage-controlled streamflow generation in different landscapes E. Zehe et al. 10.5194/hess-23-971-2019
- Root lateral interactions drive water uptake patterns under water limitation E. Agee et al. 10.1016/j.advwatres.2021.103896
- Root water uptake patterns are controlled by tree species interactions and soil water variability G. Demir et al. 10.5194/hess-28-1441-2024
- HESS Opinions Catchments as meta-organisms – a new blueprint for hydrological modelling H. Savenije & M. Hrachowitz 10.5194/hess-21-1107-2017
- Multi-fold increase in rainforest tipping risk beyond 1.5–2 °C warming C. Singh et al. 10.5194/esd-15-1543-2024
Latest update: 03 Nov 2025
Short summary
This theoretical paper describes the energy fluxes and dissipation along the flow paths involved in root water uptake, an approach that is rarely taken. We show that this provides useful additional insights for understanding the biotic and abiotic impediments to root water uptake. This approach shall be applied to explore efficient water uptake strategies and help locate the limiting processes in the complex soil–plant–atmosphere system.
This theoretical paper describes the energy fluxes and dissipation along the flow paths involved...