Increasing leaf δ13C values of woody plants in response to water stress induced by tunnel excavation in a karst trough valley: Implication for improving water-use efficiency

Plant species growing in karst shallow-soil areas always experience water deficit especially in seasonally dry. Moreover, such water stress is aggravated by tunnel excavation in karst areas. However, the effects of tunnel excavation on karst ecosystems remain largely unknown. This study aimed at investigating whether there were variations in soil water contents and shifts of water use strategies of plants between rainy and dry seasons in a karst...