Use Root Length Density when you need to compute root length density RLD in centimetres per cubic centimetre of soil as root length divided by soil core volume. Enter Root length and Soil volume using the definitions and units below so the result can be reproduced.

Root length

A finite measured or assumed value, expressed in cm.

Soil volume

A finite measured or assumed value, expressed in cm³.

The published tool contract uses this rule: Compute root length density RLD in centimetres per cubic centimetre of soil as root length divided by soil core volume.^[1]

Root length density

The calculated root length density in cm/cm³.

A ratio or percentage can conceal the scale of its numerator and denominator and becomes sensitive to measurement error when the denominator is small.

Retain the original Root length and Soil volume values and their units alongside the result. Specific Root Length is useful when you instead need to compute specific root length SRL in metres per gram as root length divided by root dry mass. Stem Wood Density provides another view by helping you compute stem wood density in grams per cubic centimetre as oven-dry stem mass divided by stem volume.

• Specific Root Length

  Compute specific root length SRL in metres per gram as root length divided by root dry mass.

• Stem Wood Density

  Compute stem wood density in grams per cubic centimetre as oven-dry stem mass divided by stem volume.

• Wood Density

  Compute basic wood density in grams per cubic centimetre as oven-dry mass divided by fresh volume.