As a crucial organ for plants to acquire soil resources and influence the carbon cycle, understanding root distribution patterns is essential for assessing plant adaptation strategies, particularly in disturbed environments. However, due to the challenges associated with direct root observation in the field, non-destructive methods are necessary for long-term studies. This study employed the flat-bed scanner method for long-term, non-destructive monitoring of root dynamics in herbaceous plant communities in a post-mined peatland in northern Hokkaido. To distinguish species-specific root distribution, we manually identified the scanned images and separated the mixed root systems of the community at the species level, with a particular focus on analyzing the root systems of three common wetland perennial herbaceous plants: Rhynchospora alba, Moliniopsis japonica, and Lobelia sessilifolia.
 To explore the relationship between aboveground and belowground growth patterns, vegetation cover data were integrated with NDVI measurements and compared with root growth dynamics. This approach allows for investigating whether seasonal variations in aboveground biomass correlate with root development in these species, providing insight into potential interactions between shoot and root phenology. Furthermore, by quantifying root density at various soil depths to analyze the vertical distribution of the root system, the study revealed that the three species exhibit distinct root distribution patterns. Lobelia sessilifolia concentrated their roots in shallow layers, while Rhynchospora alba and Moliniopsis japonica extended deeper into the soil. These differing patterns may reflect species-specific adaptations to the post-mined peatland soil conditions, underscoring their ecological strategies for resource utilization and competition.
 This study emphasizes the significance of root distribution patterns in understanding plant survival strategies in degraded wetlands. By applying the flat-bed scanner method in combination with vegetation indices, our findings provide valuable insights into the interactions between aboveground and belowground plant dynamics and contribute to the ecological restoration of post-mined peatlands.