Hydraulic redistribution allows plants to continue fixing carbon and grow during the prolonged dry season.

These trees are using their root system to redistribute water into different soil compartments. This allows the trees and the forest to sustain water use throughout the dry season.

Todd Dawson

This shifting of water by roots has a physiological effect on the plants, letting them pull more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they conduct more photosynthesis. Because this has not been considered until now, people have likely underestimated the amount of carbon taken up by the Amazon and underestimated the impact of Amazonian deforestation on climate.

Todd Dawson

Roots are acting like conduits for water connecting deep ground or soil water reserves to the shallow soil water.

Todd Dawson