Groundwater use by vegetation in a tropical savannah riparian zone (Daly River, Australia)

S. Lamontagne, P. G. Cook, A. O'Grady and D. Eamus
Journal of Hydrology, 310, 1-4, 280-293, 2005
Soil water matric potentials and the deuterium composition at natural abundance levels of xylem water, soil water, river water and groundwater were used to evaluate whether trees use groundwater during the dry season in the riparian zone of the Daly River (Northern Territory, Australia). Groundwater was a significant source of water for plant transpiration, probably accounting for more than 50% of the water transpired during the dry season. Use of groundwater varied between species. A decline in the regional water table as a result of groundwater pumping may affect the health of riparian zone vegetation in the Daly River because groundwater use is significant during the dry season.
doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2005.01.009