8.2-Ground water in mountainous area and forest vegetation.

Abstract

There are much misaivinqs outside the hydrological discipline on the location and behaviour of the mountainous water table under forest vecietation and there are many conflicting assertions about the depth of the tree rootinos and water table and its seasonal fluctuations. The real concern is whether the two are effectively related or not. Some of the observation indicates that the fluctuations in water table are due to movement of water for irriciations or rural use and lesser recharge from sub soil laver which causes a depression of the water table tar a sizable area around. Some times rural people tap aquifers which are for below the superficial water table with which plant roots are associated. Ihe most tenable hypothesis could be drawn that tne tap roots of trees are not the major absorber of water from water table in low lvina area. However. where the superficial roots system comes in contact with the capillary fringe of water table direct absorption could be Possible.