What is a root bulb? I had this question when I began field work, as they were referred to a lot. In northern Albertan boreal forests, they are very common and are important features in wildlife and soil surveys.
Root bulbs are caused by trees upturning. This could be caused by erosion of the soil below, or by heavy winds pushing the tree over. Thawing and freezing cycles of soil and natural gradual movements of material in the ground can also cause trees to upturn.
In terms of soil, root bulbs should be avoided for surveying soil, because the disturbance in the area will cause the classification to not reflect the surrounding soils. Classification may not even be possible because of the churning of soil horizons.
In terms of wildlife, root bulbs are excellent locations for dens, as the soil will be much softer due to the disturbance. Root bulbs should always be examined during a wildlife sweep.
Jaron Wiigs 