Researchers in Japan have found that the taller the Japanese black pine trees (Pinus thunbergii) along the coast, the deeper their roots go into the ground.
Researchers in Japan have found that the taller the Japanese black pine trees (Pinus thunbergii) along the coast, the deeper their roots go into the ground. Trees with deeper roots are more resistant to damage from tsunamis and strong winds. Their findings suggest that the resilience of coastal P. thunbergii trees may be improved by inducing deep root growth, specifically in short trees. The study was published in the Journal of Forest Research.
Many P. thunbergii trees have been planted in coastal forests in Japan because they are salt-tolerant and can grow in sandy soils lacking nutrients. P. thunbergii trees are very resistant to tsunamis, strong winds, and blowing sand because their strong roots grow straight down and deep. Such trees should offer protection to houses and fields from natural disasters.
During the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, P. thunbergii trees along the coast played an important role in suppressing wave forces and debris carried by tsunamis. However, several P. thunbergii trees with roots that did not grow deep enough were severely damaged and washed away.
Read more at Nagoya University
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