Contributions of fine root production and turnover to the carbon and nitrogen cycling in taiga forests of the Alaskan interior

1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 1326-1336 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.W. Ruess ◽  
K. Van Cleve ◽  
J. Yarie ◽  
L.A. Viereck
Keyword(s):  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Root Turnover ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Fine Root Production ◽  
Litter Fall ◽  
Fine Root Turnover ◽  
Taiga Forests

Fine root production and turnover were studied in hardwood and coniferous taiga forests using three methods. (1) Using soil cores, fine root production ranged from 1574 ± 76 kg•ha−1•year−1 in the upland white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss) stand to 4386 ± 322 kg•ha−1•year−1 in the floodplain balsam poplar (Populusbalsamifera L.) stand, accounting for 49% of total production for coniferous stands and 32% of total production for deciduous stands. Fine root turnover rates were higher in floodplain (0.90 ± 0.06 year−1) stands than in upland (0.42 ± 0.10 year−1) stands. Across all sites, the ratio of fine root turnover to litter fall averaged 2.2 for biomass and 2.8 for N. Both values were higher in floodplain stands than in upland stands, and in coniferous stands than in deciduous stands. (2) The C budget method showed that C allocation to fine roots varied from 150 to 425 g C•m−2•year−1 and suggested that soil respiration was more dependent on C derived from roots than from aboveground inputs. The C allocation ratio (C to roots: C to litter fall) was inversely correlated with litter-fall C and varied from 0.3 to 69.5; there was a tendency for higher proportional belowground allocation in coniferous stands than in deciduous stands and the highest levels were at the earliest successional sites. (3) Estimates of apparent N uptake (Nu), N allocation to fine roots, and fine root production based on N budget calculations showed that annual aboveground N increments exceeded Nu estimates at half the sites, indicating that the method failed to account for large amounts of N acquired by plants. This suggests that plant and (or) mycorrhizal uptake of soil organic N may be more significant to ecosystem N cycling than mineral N turnover by the soil microbial biomass.

CARBON AND NUTRIENT CYCLING THROUGH FINE ROOTS IN RUBBER (HEVEA BRASILIENSIS) PLANTATIONS IN INDIA

2013 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 556-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. JESSY ◽  
P. PRASANNAKUMARI ◽  
JOSHUA ABRAHAM
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Nutrient Cycling ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Root Turnover ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Fine Root Production ◽  
Fine Root Turnover ◽  
Rubber Plantations

SUMMARYUnderstanding the growth dynamics of fine roots and their contribution to soil organic carbon and nutrient pools is crucial for estimating ecosystem carbon and nutrient cycling and how these are influenced by climate change. Rubber is cultivated in more than 10 million hectare globally and the area under rubber cultivation is fast expanding due to socio-economic reasons, apart from the importance given to this species for eco-restoration of degraded lands. An experiment was conducted to quantify fine root production, fine root turnover and carbon and nutrient cycling through fine roots in rubber plantations with different soil nutrient status and rainfall pattern. Fine root production was estimated by sequential coring and ingrowth core methods. Fine root decomposition was determined by the litter bag technique. Carbon and nutrient contents in fine roots were determined and their turnover was computed. Fine root biomass in the top 0–7.5-cm soil layer showed significant seasonal fluctuation and the fluctuations were particularly wide during the transition period from the dry season to the rainy season. Fine root production estimated by the different methods was significantly higher at the lower fertility site and during the higher soil moisture stress year. Fine root turnover ranged from 1.04 to 2.29 year−1. Root carbon and nutrient status showed seasonal variation and lower status was observed during the rainy season. The annual recycling of C, N, P, K, Ca and Mg through fine roots ranged from 590 to 1758, 30 to 85, 3 to 12, 13 to 31, 11 to 35 and 6 to 13 kg ha−1, respectively. Substantial quantities of carbon and nutrients were recycled annually in rubber plantations through fine roots. When soil moisture and nutrient stress were more severe, fine root production, turnover and carbon and nutrient recycling through fine roots were higher.

scholarly journals Fine root standing stock and production in young beech and spruce stands

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bohdan Konôpka ◽  
Jozef Pajtík ◽  
Miriam Maľová
Keyword(s):  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Standing Stock ◽  
Maximum Diameter ◽  
Root Turnover ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Fine Root Production ◽  
Turnover Rates ◽  
Fine Root Turnover

AbstractFine roots (defined by a maximum diameter of 2 mm) and assimilatory organs are the compartments which rotate carbon much faster than any other tree part. We focused on quantification of fine roots in young European beech and Norway spruce trees growing under the same ecological conditions. Standing stock of fine roots was estimated by soil coring during 2009 - 2012. Fine root production was established by the in-growth bag method. Standing stock and productions of fine roots were comparable in both tree species. The quantity of fine root biomass (at a soil depth of 0 -50 cm) varied inter-annually between 6.08 and 7.41 t per ha in the beech and from 5.10 to 6.49 t per ha in the spruce stand. Annual production of fine roots (soil depth of 0 - 30 cm) was between 1.11 and 1.63 t ha-1 in beech and between 0.95 and 1.54 t.ha-1 in spruce. We found that fine root standing stock at the beginning of each growing season was related to climatic conditions in the previous year. Annual fine root production was influenced by the climatic situation of the current year. In general, a maximum standing stock of fine roots as well as a relatively slow fine root turnover is expected in young forest stands. Whereas production of fine roots prevailed over mortality in a favorable year (sufficiency of precipitations and slightly above-average temperatures in 2010), there was a reverse situation in an unfavorable year (drought episodes in 2011). We concluded that although both forest types represented contrasting turnovers of assimilatory organs (once a year and once in 5 years in beech and spruce respectively), fine root turnover rates were very similar (approx. once per four years).

scholarly journals Soil Carbon Storage and Its Determinants in Forest Fragments of Differentiated Patch Size

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1044
Author(s):  
Chunyu Shen ◽  
Lei Ma ◽  
Jiaxi Hu ◽  
Liyang Huang ◽  
Yujuan Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Fragmentation ◽  
Carbon Concentration ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Fine Root Production ◽  
Litter Fall ◽  
Forest Edges ◽  
Biomass Storage

Research Highlights: Soil carbon storage (SOC) decreased due to forest fragmentation through lower proportion of macroaggregate distribution, higher storage of fine roots and litter falls, and lower fine root production rate. Background and Objectives: Globally, forest fragmentation processes lead to enormous losses of SOC in forests. We investigated SOC and its determinants in forest fragments experiencing edge disturbances in south China. Materials and Methods: Soil aggregate characteristics, dynamics of fine roots, and litter fall were studied from forest edges to interiors. Generalized linear mixed models were used to model the contributions of fine root and litter fall dynamics to carbon concentration in aggregates. Results: Large and small macroaggregates had higher proportion of aggregate distribution and contributed more carbon to SOC in all types of plots in the present study. SOC significantly increased from forest edges to interiors due to carbon concentration of these two aggregate types increasing from edges to interiors, while the proportion of different aggregate distributions was similar within each plot. The same trend was found with increasing forest patch size. Fine root biomass storage had the strongest impact on carbon concentration in large macroaggregates and microaggregates, with higher fine root biomass storage associated with lower carbon concentration. In addition, biomass storage and production rates of both fine roots and litter falls decreased from forest interiors to edges. Our results showed that SOC was significantly decreased due to the lower proportion of large and small macroaggregate distribution, and lower fine root production rate in forest fragments. Conclusions: SOC loss due to effects of forest fragmentation and forest edges occurred through decreased concentrations of soil aggregates and fine root production rates. Results from this study will enhance our ability to evaluate soil aggregate, fine root, and leaf litter fall contributions to SOC within forest fragments, and to suggest basic recommendations for the management and conservation of these forest fragments.

scholarly journals Biomass Allocation to Resource Acquisition Compartments Is Affected by Tree Density Manipulation in European Beech after Three Decades

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 940
Author(s):  
Bohdan Konôpka ◽  
Milan Barna ◽  
Michal Bosela ◽  
Martin Lukac
Keyword(s):  
Fine Root ◽  
Standing Stock ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Tree Density ◽  
Resource Acquisition ◽  
Root Turnover ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Fine Root Production ◽  
Mature Forest

This study reports on an investigation of fine root and foliage productivity in forest stands dominated by European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and exposed to contrasting intensities of mature forest harvesting. The main aim of this study was to consider the long-term effects of canopy manipulation on resource acquisition biomass compartments in beech. We made use of an experiment established in 1989, when five different light availability treatments were started in plots within a uniform forest stand, ranging from no reduction in tree density to full mature forest removal. We measured fine root standing stock in the 0–30 cm soil layer by coring in 2013 and then followed annual fine root production (in-growth cores) and foliage production (litter baskets) in 2013–2015. We found that the plot where the tree density was reduced by 30% had the lowest foliage and the highest fine root production. In 2013, this plot had the highest fine root turnover rate (0.8 year−1), while this indicator of fine root dynamics was much lower in the other four treatments (around 0.3 year−1). We also found that the annual fine root production represented around two thirds of annual foliage growth on the mass basis in all treatments. While our findings support the maintenance of source and sink balance in woody plants, we also found a long-lasting effect of tree density manipulation on investment into resource acquisition compartments in beech forests.

scholarly journals Effect of Root and Mycelia on Fine Root Decomposition and Release of Carbon and Nitrogen Under Artemisia halodendron in a Semi-arid Sandy Grassland in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinping Liu ◽  
Yongqing Luo ◽  
Li Cheng ◽  
Hongjiao Hu ◽  
Youhan Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Root Turnover ◽  
Root Decomposition ◽  
Soil System ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
Artemisia Halodendron ◽  
Fine Root Decomposition ◽  
Semi Arid

Plant fine root turnover is a continuous process both spatially and temporally, and fine root decomposition is affected by many biotic and abiotic factors. However, the effect of the living roots and the associated mycorrhizal fungal mycelia on fine root decomposition remains unclear. The objective of this study is to explore the influence of these biotic factors on fine root decomposition in a semi-arid ecosystem. In this study, we investigated the effect of fine roots and mycelia on fine root decomposition of a pioneer shrub (Artemisia halodendron) in Horqin sandy land, northeast China, by the ingrowth core method combined with the litterbag method. Litterbags were installed in cores. Results showed that core a allowed the growth of both fine roots and mycelia (treatment R + M), core b only allowed the growth of mycelia (treatment M), and in core c the fine root and mycelia growth were restricted and only bulk soil was present (treatment S). These findings suggest that the process of root decomposition was significantly affected by the living roots and mycelia, and carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) concentration dynamics during root decomposition differed among treatments. Mycelia significantly stimulated the mass loss and C and N release during root decomposition. Treatment R + M significantly stimulated the accumulation of soil total C, total N, and organic N under litterbags. The mycelia significantly stimulated the accumulation of the inorganic N (ammonium-N and nitrate-N) but the presence of fine roots weakened nitrate-N accumulation. The presence of living roots and associated mycelia strongly affected the process of root decomposition and matter release in the litter-soil system. The results of this study should strengthen the understanding of root-soil interactions.

scholarly journals Estimating Fine Root Production from Ingrowth Cores and Decomposed Roots in a Bornean Tropical Rainforest

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayumi Katayama ◽  
Lip Khoon Kho ◽  
Naoki Makita ◽  
Tomonori Kume ◽  
Kazuho Matsumoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fine Roots ◽  
Tropical Rainforest ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Differential Method ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Fine Root Production ◽  
Calculation Methods ◽  
Ingrowth Cores ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Using Data

Research highlights: Estimates of fine root production using ingrowth cores are strongly influenced by decomposed roots in the cores during the incubation period and should be accounted for when calculating fine root production (FRP). Background and Objectives: The ingrowth core method is often used to estimate fine root production; however, decomposed roots are often overlooked in estimates of FRP. Uncertainty remains on how long ingrowth cores should be installed and how FRP should be calculated in tropical forests. Here, we aimed to estimate FRP by taking decomposed fine roots into consideration. Specifically, we compared FRP estimates at different sampling intervals and using different calculation methods in a tropical rainforest in Borneo. Materials and Methods: Ingrowth cores were installed with root litter bags and collected after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. FRP was estimated based on (1) the difference in biomass at different sampling times (differential method) and (2) sampled biomass at just one sampling time (simple method). Results: Using the differential method, FRP was estimated at 447.4 ± 67.4 g m−2 year−1 after 12 months, with decomposed fine roots accounting for 25% of FRP. Using the simple method, FRP was slightly higher than that in the differential method after 12 months (516.3 ± 45.0 g m−2 year−1). FRP estimates for both calculation methods using data obtained in the first half of the year were much higher than those using data after 12-months of installation, because of the rapid increase in fine root biomass and necromass after installation. Conclusions: Therefore, FRP estimates vary with the timing of sampling, calculation method and presence of decomposed roots. Overall, the ratio of net primary production (NPP) of fine roots to total NPP in this study was higher than that previously reported in the Neotropics, indicating high belowground carbon allocation in this forest.

scholarly journals 193 Fine Root Turnover and Mycorrhizal Morphotypes in Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda L.)

HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 424B-424
Author(s):  
Wei Qiang Yang ◽  
Amy K. Dunbar ◽  
Mary A. Topa
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Taeda ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Root Length ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Root Turnover ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Fertilizer Treatment ◽  
Total Root Length ◽  
Root Number ◽  
Fine Root Turnover

Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) is the most widely planted tree species in the Atlantic Coastal Plain. To maximize its aboveground yield, it is vital to understand how root production, particularly fine root production, affects root carbon allocation to its root systems under various environmental conditions. Over a 2-year period (1998-99), we conducted a field study using minirhizotron technology to investigate fine root production and turn over in four families of a 6-year-old loblolly pine stand in Scotland County, N.C. A total of 144 minirhizotron tubes were installed to examine potential genetic differences in fertilizer effects on fine root turnover. Data analyses indicated an interaction between these families and fertilizer treatments for total fine root length and total fine root number. The effect of treatment on total root length was less clear in the faster-growing families. However, fertilization increased total root length in a slow-growing family but decreased total root length in a faster-growing family. Total root number was decreased by fertilizer treatment in the two fastest-growing families, but increased in the two slowest-growing families. Because ectomycorrhizae are significant carbon sinks in pine root systems and more than 90% of short roots in these loblolly pine families were colonized, ectomycorrhizal short roots (clusters) were classified into nine different morphotypes. No treatment and family interactions were found. Fertilizer treatment decreased the number of mycorrhizal clusters per unit root length. Dark and brown morphotypes were dominant mycorrhizal morphotypes among all the families. Our results suggest possible genetic differences and treatment effects on root system carbon demands of loblolly pine.

Soil Organisms Influence Fine Root Lifespan in Peach

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 541d-541
Author(s):  
Christina Wells ◽  
David Eissenstat ◽  
Michael Glenn
Keyword(s):  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Root Diameter ◽  
Root Turnover ◽  
Camera System ◽  
Fine Root Turnover ◽  
Root Lifespan ◽  
Pesticide Treatment ◽  
Root Death

Damage to the root system by soil insects and pathogenic fungi is difficult to assess and often goes unnoticed until a tree exhibits significant decline above ground. In this study, below-ground imaging technology was used to quantify fine root turnover in peach and to determine what percentage of root death may be caused by soil pests in an apparently healthy orchard. The study was conducted on six 15-year-old `Loring' peach trees on Halford rootstock in Kearneysville, W.Va. Five root observation tubes were placed in the soil beneath each tree in Apr. 1996. Each tube was randomly assigned one of five soil drench treatments: Lorsban 4E insecticide, Ridomil 2E fungicide, a combination of both pesticides, 1/10th strength Hoagland's solution, or water. A portable VCR and camera system were used to record images of fine roots (<1 mm diameter) growing along the tubes at biweekly intervals from May 1996 through Nov. 1997. The images were used to construct a database of life history information for more than 1500 individual roots. Peach root survivorship was influenced by root diameter and pesticide treatment. Fine roots on tubes receiving either of the pesticide treatments had higher survivorship than roots on control tubes for all diameter classes. The effect was most pronounced for white roots <0.5 mm in diameter, whose survivorship during the growing season was increased by 45% when both insecticide and fungicide were applied. These results suggest that a substantial fraction of fine root death may be caused by interactions with the soil fauna.

Estimating fine-root production and turnover from biomass and decomposition data: a compartment–flow model

1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 900-908 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Santantonio ◽  
J. C. Grace
Keyword(s):  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Flow Model ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Net Primary Production ◽  
Independent Set ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Root Decomposition ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Fine Root Production

Production and replacement of fine roots (diam. < 1 mm) takes 8–67% of net primary production in forests. Most of this production is lost through mortality; little appears as an increment. Traditional biomass methods underestimate fine-root production because estimating production or mortality from changes in standing crop alone does not adequately account for simultaneous and compensating processes of growth, death, and replacement which occur continuously. We propose a compartment–flow model to solve this problem and estimate fine-root production and mortality at a monthly resolution for a pine plantation in New Zealand. The main component of the model is fine-root decomposition, an exponential decay function driven by soil temperature. The model "produces" and "turns over" enough fine roots to maintain observed standing crops of live and dead fine roots given losses through decomposition each month. We have formulated the model as differential and difference equations. Monthly estimates from the model indicated smooth modal patterns. Production and mortality peaked in early spring (September) at about 600 kg•ha−1•month−1 and fell to near zero in summer (January–February). The periodicity of these two processes was out of phase with soil temperature at 10 cm. Decomposition occurred continuously; it peaked in early summer (December) and declined to low levels during winter and was in phase with soil temperature. In a validation of the decomposition portion of the model with an independent set of decomposition data, measured standing crops of dead fine root were not statistically different from predicted values.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document