Roots maximize water uptake: plants

1 of 1 Tree with roots exposed / Aaron Escoba.. / License

Roots of plants maximize water uptake by adapting their orientation to the environment.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

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Biomimetic Application Ideas

Reduce urban runoff by integrating root design into pavement or building designs Solar water pump

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"To find water, a plant has to position its roots with just as much precision as it arranges its leaves. If moisture is in very short supply, then a plant may have to drive a tap root deep into the ground to reach the water table. Some desert plants have had to develop root systems that are far deeper than they are tall and extend laterally a very long way beyond the furthest extent of their foliage. Even if the environment is well-watered, a plant may still need to compete with others for this essential commodity, so it positions a network of roots within a few inches of the soil surface, where it can gather the rain water before others can." (Attenborough 1995:48-51)

About the inspiring organism

Plantae
Plantae

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Reduce urban runoff by integrating root design into pavement or building designs. Design solar water pump.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Computer industry, building industry, biosensors, manufacturing

Solar Water Still and Pump - Solar-driven still and pump

References

Attenborough, D. 1995. The Private Life of Plants: A Natural History of Plant Behavior. London: BBC Books. 320 p.

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