Understanding the role of vegetation root systems in the initiation of rainfall-induced shallow landslides: scaling perspectives
Root systems strongly influence hillslope stability by altering vertical and lateral water flow, creating preferential pathways and affecting pore‑water pressure. This review synthesizes how forest stand conditions—especially density, spacing and species composition—shape belowground structure, resource competition and ultimately landslide dynamics. Scaling insights from individual roots to whole hillslopes remains challenging due to heterogeneous soils, topography and hydrology. The authors highlight how forest root–soil interactions govern both mechanical reinforcement and hydrological processes, emphasizing the need for integrated research to support sustainable forest management and disaster‑risk reduction.
Subject Tags
- Forest
- Soils
Abstract
The contribution of root systems, defined as the arrangement of belowground structures formed within plant communities through both individual plant root systems and their interactions, to the stability of forested hillslopes can be assessed at individual root and plant levels. Root systems influence both vertical and lateral flow by creating preferential flow pathways or bypassing flow and influencing pore-water development and slope stability. Root systems development differs depending on stand density (i.e. tree spacing) and species composition, which are also associated with resource competition among individual plants. Forest stand conditions related to plant density and resultant root system development possibly alter frequency and size of landslides. Scaling effect, defined as translation of insights of individual root system into entire hillslopes or watersheds, poses challenges due to the heterogeneity of forest stand conditions, soil properties, topography, and hydrological processes. The primary goal of this review is to explore how forest root systems and forest stand conditions influence landslide dynamics through hydrological and mechanical processes, thereby providing insights for further research to address sustainable forest management and disaster risk reduction.
Citation
Noviandi, R., Gomi, T., Pratama, G. M., Ritonga, R. P., & Fathani, T. F. (2025). Understanding the role of vegetation root systems in the initiation of rainfall-induced shallow landslides: scaling perspectives. Journal of Forest Research, 30(3), 165-178. https://doi.org/10.1080/13416979.2025.2482218
TNC Authors
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Rasis P. Ritonga
The Nature Conservancy