Biotechnical capabilities evaluation of Salicaceae and Tamaricaceae cuttings according to drought gradient
The natural phenomenon of riverbank erosion can threaten human stakes. Vegetative bioengineering protections can be installed to imitate the vegetation dynamics and anchor the soil bank thanks to roots. However, global climate change could induce and increase droughts, what is going to stress plants and to compromise the bioengineering works success. The main question is thus " what are the biotechnical capabilities and the drought acclimatization faculties of cuttings of Salicaceae and Tamaricaceae, species used or potentially useful in bioengineering? ". The study of different populations of species such as willows demonstrates a more effective drought resistance of the Southern populations whereas the biomass productions remain higher with the Northern populations. The study of the biotechnical traits and the root behavior potentially useful species such as Tamaricaceae (Tamarix gallica and Myricaria germanica) show a high resprouting rate, a high biomass production and a prospecting root strategy different from willows. This results confer them a better drought resistance. This confirms a possible use of these species in vegetative bioengineering works subjected to drought.