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.

Effect of thinning on production and mortality of fine roots in a Pinusradiata plantation on a fertile site in New Zealand

1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 919-928 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Santantonio ◽  
E. Santantonio
Keyword(s):  
Fine Roots ◽  
Standing Crop ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
General Pattern ◽  
Minor Component ◽  
Root Decomposition ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Soil Core ◽  
Stem Wood ◽  
Small Roots

The effects of heavy thinning (60% reduction in basal area) on fine (< 1 mm diam.) and small roots (1–5 mm diam.) were evaluated during the 2nd year following treatment by periodic soil core sampling in a 12-year-old plantation of Pinusradiata D. Don. Data from these samples enabled us to estimate monthly standing crops of live and dead fine roots and seasonal rates of fine-root decomposition. We used a compartment-flow model to estimate production and mortality of fine roots with monthly resolution from these data. The general pattern of production and mortality was modal and out of phase with soil temperature. On an area basis, thinning reduced the overall standing crop of live fine roots from 1.38 to 0.55 Mg/ha; the standing crop of dead fine roots remained unchanged at 4.37 Mg/ha. The standing crop of live small roots declined from 1.03 to 0.54 Mg/ha. Annual production of fine roots was estimated at 2.2 and 1.9 Mg•ha−1•year−1 in the control and thinned treatment, respectively, and mortality was estimated at 2.1 and 2.0 Mg•ha−1•ear−1 in the control and thinned treatment, respectively. Thinning shortened mean fine-root longevity from 6.2 to 2.5 months. With respect to total dry matter production, fine-root production remained a minor component following a heavy thinning. It accounted for only 4.6 and 6.1% of the stand total in the control and thinned treatments, respectively. These results indicate that on a fertile site with a mild climate the opportunity to shift production from fine roots to another component, such as stem wood, is likely to be small.

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.

Nitrogen limitation in a sweetgum plantation: implications for carbon allocation and storage

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 1021-1032 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen M. Iversen ◽  
Richard J. Norby
Keyword(s):  
Primary Production ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Net Primary Production ◽  
Root Production ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Fine Root Production ◽  
Wood Production ◽  
N Limitation ◽  
Face Experiment ◽  
Leaf N

The N status of temperate forests is closely linked to their C fluxes, and altered C or N availability may affect ecosystem C storage through changes in forest production and C allocation. We proposed that increased fine-root production previously observed in a sweetgum ( Liquidambar styraciflua L.) forest in response to elevated [CO2] was a physiological response to N limitation. To examine this premise, we fertilized plots in the sweetgum plantation adjacent to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory free-air CO2-enrichment (FACE) experiment. We hypothesized that N fertilization would increase sweetgum net primary production, leaf [N], and the relative flux of C to wood production. Annual additions of 200 kg·ha–1 of N as urea increased soil N availability, which increased stand net primary production, stand N uptake, and N requirement by about one-third. Increased leaf [N] and leaf area production in the fertilized plots increased stem production and shifted relative flux of C to wood production. We conclude that sweetgum production on this site is limited by soil N availability and a decreased fraction of net primary production in fine-root production with N addition is consistent with the premise that increased fine-root production in the adjacent FACE experiment is in response to N limitation.

scholarly journals A global analysis of fine root production as affected by soil nitrogen and phosphorus

2012 ◽  
Vol 279 (1743) ◽  
pp. 3796-3802 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Y. Yuan ◽  
Han Y. H. Chen
Keyword(s):  
Fine Root ◽  
Net Primary Production ◽  
Global Analysis ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Fine Root Production ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Global Average ◽  
P Addition

Fine root production is the largest component of belowground production and plays substantial roles in the biogeochemical cycles of terrestrial ecosystems. The increasing availability of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) due to human activities is expected to increase aboveground net primary production (ANNP), but the response of fine root production to N and P remains unclear. If roots respond to nutrients as ANNP, fine root production is anticipated to increase with increasing soil N and P. Here, by synthesizing data along the nutrient gradient from 410 natural habitats and from 469 N and/or P addition experiments, we showed that fine root production increased in terrestrial ecosystems with an average increase along the natural N gradient of up to 0.5 per cent with increasing soil N. Fine root production also increased with soil P in natural conditions, particularly at P < 300 mg kg −1 . With N, P and combined N + P addition, fine root production increased by a global average of 27, 21 and 40 per cent, respectively. However, its responses differed among ecosystems and soil types. The global average increases in fine root production are lower than those of ANNP, indicating that above- and belowground counterparts are coupled, but production allocation shifts more to aboveground with higher soil nutrients. Our results suggest that the increasing fertilizer use and combined N deposition at present and in the future will stimulate fine root production, together with ANPP, probably providing a significant influence on atmospheric CO 2 emissions.

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.

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.

Biomass distribution and above- and below-ground production in young and mature Abiesamabilis zone ecosystems of the Washington Cascades

1981 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles C. Grier ◽  
Kristiina A. Vogt ◽  
Michael R. Keyes ◽  
Robert L. Edmonds
Keyword(s):  
Primary Production ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Net Primary Production ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Fine Root Production ◽  
Biomass Distribution ◽  
Net Production ◽  
Young Stand ◽  
Mature Stand ◽  
Below Ground

Biomass distribution and above- and below-ground net primary production were determined for 23- and 180-year-old Abiesamabilis (Dougl.) Forbes ecosystems growing at 1200-m elevation in the western Washington Cascade Range. Total organic matter accumulations were 427.0 t•ha−1 in the young stand, and 1247.1 t•ha−1 in the mature stand. Aboveground tree and detritus biomass were 49.0 t•ha−1 and 130.2 t•ha−1, respectively, in the young stand compared with 445.5 t•ha−1 and 389.4 t•ha−1 in the mature stand. Net primary production (NPP) was 18.3 t•ha−1 in the young stand and 16.8 t•ha−1 in the mature stand. Belowground dry matter production was 65% of total net production in the young stand and 73% of total net production in the mature stand. Conifer fine root production was 35.9% of NPP in the young and 66.4% of NPP in the mature stand. This apparent shift in fine root production as a proportion of NPP may be related to detritus accumulation.

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.

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