A fractal root model applied for estimating the root biomass and architecture in two tropical legume tree species

Abstract Aims Tree species richness has been reported to have positive effects on aboveground biomass and productivity, but little is known about its effects on soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation. Methods To close this gap, we made use of a large biodiversity–ecosystem functioning experiment in subtropical China (BEF-China) and tested whether tree species richness enhanced SOC accumulation. In 2010 and 2015, vertically layered soil samples were taken to a depth of 30 cm from 57 plots ranging in tree species richness from one to eight species. Least squares-based linear models and analysis of variance were used to investigate tree diversity effects. Structural equation modeling was used to explore hypothesized indirect relationships between tree species richness, leaf-litter biomass, leaf-litter carbon content, fine-root biomass and SOC accumulation. Important Findings Overall, SOC content decreased by 5.7 and 1.1 g C kg−1 in the top 0–5 and 5–10 cm soil depth, respectively, but increased by 1.0 and 1.5 g C kg−1 in the deeper 10–20 and 20–30 cm soil depth, respectively. Converting SOC content to SOC stocks using measures of soil bulk density showed that tree species richness did enhance SOC accumulation in the different soil depths. These effects could only to some extent be explained by leaf-litter biomass and not by fine-root biomass. Our findings suggest that carbon storage in new forests in China could be increased by planting more diverse stands, with the potential to contribute to mitigation of climate warming.

Download Full-text

The coarse root biomass of eight common tree species in subtropical evergreen forest

Chinese Science Bulletin (Chinese Version) ◽

10.1360/972012-1590 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 58 (4) ◽

pp. 329-335 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

KePing MA ◽

Ning LI ◽

WuBing XU ◽

Bo YANG ◽

JiangShan LAI ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tree Species ◽

Root Biomass ◽

Evergreen Forest ◽

Coarse Root ◽

Subtropical Evergreen Forest ◽

Common Tree

Download Full-text

Estimation of coarse root biomass and nutrient content for sugar maple, jack pine, and black spruce using stem diameter at breast height

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x07-134 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

pp. 92-100 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Rock Ouimet ◽

Claude Camiré ◽

Marcel Brazeau ◽

Jean-David Moore

Keyword(s):

Tree Species ◽

Root Biomass ◽

Sugar Maple ◽

Black Spruce ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Root Diameter ◽

Stem Diameter ◽

Diameter Class ◽

Coarse Root ◽

Breast Height

Estimates of belowground biomass and mineralomass are fundamental to understanding carbon and element cycling in forest ecosystems. At two sites, we measured coarse root (diameter ≥2 mm) biomass by diameter class and their mineralomass for sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marsh.), black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP), and jack pine ( Pinus banksiana Lamb.) trees to relate them to stem diameter at breast height (DBH). All regressions describing coarse root biomass and nutrient content as a function of stem DBH were highly significant (r2 ≥ 0.89, P < 0.001). Root mineral element (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S) concentrations varied with tree species and root diameter class. Sugar maple roots had higher N, P, and S concentrations than the other two tree species. Black spruce had higher root Ca concentrations. Element concentrations increased consistently with the reduction of root diameter for the three studied species. We also found that the horizontal root extent of sugar maple was related to tree DBH. In conjunction with other studies, the relationship suggests that this tree species could tolerate a 10%–20% root loss but not losses ≥28%–34%; otherwise, sugar maple health and vigour would be compromised in the short term.

Download Full-text