Temperature Sensitivity of Microbial Respiration of Fine Root Litter in a Temperate Broad-Leaved Forest

Abstract Aims: Data on the decomposition of fine roots are scarce for the Mediterranean basin. This work aims to compare chemical traits, decomposition rate, and temperature sensitivity (Q10) for root and leaf litter of 43 Mediterranean species. Methods: We carried out a two-years litterbag decomposition experiment using 43 fine roots litter and leaf litter types incubated in laboratory conditions at three different temperatures, i.e. 4°C, 14°C, and 24°C. Litter was characterized for carbon (C), nitrogen (N), lignin and cellulose concentration, C/N, and lignin/N ratios. Results: Fine root litter had lower N content but higher lignin concentration, lignin/N, and C/N ratios compared to leaf litter. The decay rate of fine root litter was slower than leaf litter. For both tissues, the decay rate was negatively associated with lignin concentration, lignin/N, and C/N ratios but positively with N concentration. Q10 was higher for fine root than leaf litter, with a positive correlation with lignin while negative with N concentration. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate a higher Q10 accompanied by a slower decomposition rate of fine root litter compared to leaf litter in Mediterranean ecosystems. These results must be considered in modeling organic C at the ecosystem scale.

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Decomposition and temperature sensitivity of fine root and leaf litter of 43 mediterranean species

Plant and Soil ◽

10.1007/s11104-021-04974-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Giuliano Bonanomi ◽

Mohamed Idbella ◽

Maurizio Zotti ◽

Lucia Santorufo ◽

Riccardo Motti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Decay Rate ◽

Leaf Litter ◽

Temperature Sensitivity ◽

Decomposition Rate ◽

Fine Roots ◽

Fine Root ◽

Mediterranean Species ◽

Lignin Concentration ◽

N Concentration ◽

Root Litter

Abstract Aims Data on the decomposition of fine roots are scarce for the Mediterranean basin. This work aims to compare chemical traits, decomposition rate, and temperature sensitivity (Q10) for root and leaf litter of 43 Mediterranean species. Methods We carried out a two-years litterbag decomposition experiment using 43 fine roots litter and leaf litter types incubated in laboratory conditions at three different temperatures, i.e. 4 °C, 14 °C, and 24 °C. Litter was characterized for carbon (C), nitrogen (N), lignin and cellulose concentration, C/N, and lignin/N ratios. Results Fine root litter had lower N content but higher lignin concentration, lignin/N, and C/N ratios compared to leaf litter. The decay rate of fine root litter was slower than leaf litter. For both tissues, the decay rate was negatively associated with lignin concentration, lignin/N, and C/N ratios but positively with N concentration. Q10 was higher for fine root than leaf litter, with a positive correlation with lignin while negative with N concentration. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate a higher Q10 accompanied by a slower decomposition rate of fine root litter compared to leaf litter in Mediterranean ecosystems. These results must be considered in modeling organic C at the ecosystem scale.

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Phosphorus addition accelerates fine root decomposition by stimulating extracellular enzyme activity in a subtropical natural evergreen broad-leaved forest

European Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1007/s10342-019-01211-4 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 138 (6) ◽

pp. 917-928

Author(s):

Chengfang Lin ◽

Weisheng Lin ◽

Silu Chen ◽

Jianqun Peng ◽

Jianfen Guo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Enzyme Activity ◽

Fine Root ◽

Extracellular Enzyme ◽

Extracellular Enzyme Activity ◽

Root Decomposition ◽

Phosphorus Addition ◽

Broad Leaved Forest ◽

Fine Root Decomposition ◽

Leaved Forest

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Changes in fine root decomposition of primary Pinus koraiensis forest after clear cutting and restoration succession into secondary broad-leaved forest

Applied Soil Ecology ◽

10.1016/j.apsoil.2020.103785 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 158 ◽

pp. 103785

Author(s):

Yanmei Fu ◽

Fujuan Feng ◽

Xiuyue Zhang ◽

Dandan Qi

Keyword(s):

Fine Root ◽

Pinus Koraiensis ◽

Root Decomposition ◽

Clear Cutting ◽

Broad Leaved Forest ◽

Fine Root Decomposition ◽

Leaved Forest

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Diversity and species identity effects on fine root productivity and turnover in a species-rich temperate broad-leaved forest

Functional Plant Biology ◽

10.1071/fp13195 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 41 (7) ◽

pp. 678 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Andreas Jacob ◽

Dietrich Hertel ◽

Christoph Leuschner

Keyword(s):

Fine Root ◽

Root Turnover ◽

Root Dynamics ◽

Species Identity ◽

Fine Root Turnover ◽

Broad Leaved Forest ◽

Key Species ◽

Diversity Effect ◽

Core Study ◽

Leaved Forest

We investigated the evidence of belowground overyielding in a species-rich temperate broad-leaved forest with an ingrowth core study in 100 plots containing five common tree species (beech, lime, maple, hornbeam, ash) in mono-specific and 2-species or 3-species combinations. This design allowed separating diversity and species identity effects on root dynamics in a mature forest with long continuity. Fine root productivity was not significantly different between mono-specific and 2- or 3-species plots, whereas fine root turnover was significantly higher in the mixed than the mono-specific plots. Species identity effects on root turnover and root productivity were important. Ash achieved in the mixtures the highest fine root productivity and root turnover of all species; it is an apparent key species in this forest. Evidence in support of a diversity effect on fine root productivity and turnover was weak, however.

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