The effect of drought and interspecific interactions on  depth of water uptake in deep- and shallow-rooting grassland species as determined by δ<sup>18</sup>O natural abundance

Hoekstra, N. J.; Finn, J. A.; Hofer, D.; Lüscher, A.

doi:https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-4493-2014

Articles | Volume 11, issue 16

https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-4493-2014

© Author(s) 2014. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Special issue:

Climate extremes and biogeochemical cycles in the terrestrial...

https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-4493-2014

© Author(s) 2014. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Articles | Volume 11, issue 16

Research article

|

25 Aug 2014

Research article |

| 25 Aug 2014

The effect of drought and interspecific interactions on depth of water uptake in deep- and shallow-rooting grassland species as determined by δ¹⁸O natural abundance

N. J. Hoekstra, J. A. Finn, D. Hofer, and A. Lüscher

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Final revised paper (published on 25 Aug 2014)
Supplement to the final revised paper
Preprint (discussion started on 15 Mar 2014)
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Interactive discussion

Status: closed

AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment

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- Supplement

SC C432: 'The effect of drought on water uptake in different rooting depths.', Melanie Zeppel, 19 Mar 2014
- AC C2110: 'Response to SC C432', Nyncke Hoekstra, 04 Jun 2014
RC C509: 'Review of:The effect of drought and interspecific interactions on the depth of water uptake in deep- and shallow-rooting grassland species as determined by δ18O natural abundance', Jean-Louis Durand, 23 Mar 2014
- AC C2100: 'Response to RC C509', Nyncke Hoekstra, 04 Jun 2014
RC C905: 'Interactive comment on “The effect of drought and interspecific interactions on the depth of water uptake in deep- and shallow-rooting grassland species as determined by 18O natural abundance” by N. J. Hoekstra et al.', Jesse Nippert, 09 Apr 2014
- AC C2092: 'Response to RC C905', Nyncke Hoekstra, 04 Jun 2014

Peer-review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision

AR by Nyncke Hoekstra on behalf of the Authors (04 Jun 2014) Author's response Manuscript

ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (12 Jun 2014) by Michael Bahn

RR by Jean-Louis Durand (04 Jul 2014)

Suggestions for revision or reasons for rejection

I want to repeat here what was in my first comment and which is now even more applicable to this last version. The paper deals with an essential topic, which refers to the ability of multispecific crops, and in this case, grasslands to sustain more severe droughts compared to pure stands. The choice of species is relevant for all Europe and more. The issue is also about the methodology for studying resource sharing, and especially water,between species within a community. The choice of natural isotopic abundance of 18O is relevant and the experimental design is sound, using a comparison of control plots(i.e. rainfed) and plots protected by permanent rain out shelters. The duration of the drought studied is long enough to mimic a significant water deficit. The measurements made on biomass produced during the drought period itself are relevant for at least one important issue in drought resistance studies. The replicates number each year and the two site-year experiment provide a significant data base for sound conclusions. The text is very clear, figures are clear too. All of them seem to me necessary in the main text. Some conclusions are new and important.

All comments made in my previous report were given thorough attention and indeed, authors made very substantial efforts to answer. For the most important aspects (eg: rain water isotopic signature, solar energy balance under shelters, soil water pprofiles)authors'answers fully convince me. On one point we continue to disagree. I still cannot see any advantage in presenting and discussing the apparent depth estimate using the coincidence bewteen plant delta and soil horizon delta. However, as this statement is clearly presented and as it is not the main point of the paper, and as the limitations of the approach are pointed out I would see no reason for rejecting this manuscript. It is now more a matter of opinion and rethoric rather than a matter of fact. In my opinion, there is nothing hidden on that part, that could mislead an uninformed reader. I therefore recommend the publication of this important contribution to plant ecology.

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ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (04 Jul 2014) by Michael Bahn

AR by Nyncke Hoekstra on behalf of the Authors (17 Jul 2014) Manuscript

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The effect of drought and interspecific interactions on depth of water uptake in deep- and shallow-rooting grassland species as determined by δ18O natural abundance

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Interactive discussion

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The effect of drought and interspecific interactions on depth of water uptake in deep- and shallow-rooting grassland species as determined by δ¹⁸O natural abundance