scholarly journals Belowground productivity varies by assessment technique, vegetation type, and nutrient availability in tidal freshwater forested wetlands transitioning to marsh

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0253554
Author(s):  
Andrew S. From ◽  
Ken W. Krauss ◽  
Gregory B. Noe ◽  
Nicole Cormier ◽  
Camille L. Stagg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Root Biomass ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Forested Wetlands ◽  
Forested Wetland ◽  
Root Turnover ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Tidal Wetlands ◽  
Herbaceous Plant ◽  
Belowground Carbon Allocation

Wetlands along upper estuaries are characterized by dynamic transitions between forested and herbaceous communities (marsh) as salinity, hydroperiod, and nutrients change. The importance of belowground net primary productivity (BNPP) associated with fine and coarse root growth also changes but remains the dominant component of overall productivity in these important blue carbon wetlands. Appropriate BNPP assessment techniques to use in various tidal wetlands are not well-defined, and could make a difference in BNPP estimation. We hypothesized that different BNPP techniques applied among tidal wetlands differ in estimation of BNPP and possibly also correlate differently with porewater nutrient concentrations. We compare 6-month and 12-month root ingrowth, serial soil coring techniques utilizing two different calculations, and a mass balance approach (TBCA, Total Belowground Carbon Allocation) among four tidal wetland types along each of two river systems transitioning from freshwater forest to marsh. Median values of BNPP were 266 to 2946 g/m2/year among all techniques used, with lower BNPP estimation from root ingrowth cores and TBCA (266–416 g/m2/year), and higher BNPP estimation from serial coring of standing crop root biomass (using Smalley and Max-Min calculation methods) (2336–2946 g/m2/year). Root turnover (or longevity) to a soil depth of 30 cm was 2.2/year (1.3 years), 2.7/year (1.1 years), 4.5/year (0.9 years), and 1.2/year (2.6 years), respectively, for Upper Forest, Middle Forest, Lower Forest, and Marsh. Marsh had greater root biomass and BNPP, with slower root turnover (greater root longevity) versus forested wetlands. Soil porewater concentrations of NH3 and reactive phosphorus stimulated BNPP in the marsh when assessed with short-deployment BNPP techniques, indicating that pulses of mineralized nutrients may stimulate BNPP to facilitate marsh replacement of forested wetlands. Overall, ingrowth techniques appeared to represent forested wetland BNPP adequately, while serial coring may be necessary to represent herbaceous plant BNPP from rhizomes as marshes replace forested wetlands.

Effects of harvesting on fine root biomass and decomposition in an Engelmann spruce – subalpine fir forest

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 847-853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia E Welke ◽  
Graeme D Hope ◽  
Gary A Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Root Biomass ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Fine Root Biomass ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Root Dynamics ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Root Longevity ◽  
Engelmann Spruce

The effect of timber harvesting on the biomass, nutrient standing crop, and decomposition of fine roots (<2 mm) was studied in a high elevation, Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) – subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.) forest. Root dynamics were compared in openings of different sizes. The sequential core method was used to collect fine root samples over 4 years. Differences in fine root biomass between opening sizes were most significant for the active fine root portion and were most pronounced in the fall compared with the spring. Active fine root biomass was significantly lower in the 10-ha clearcuts (164 kg/ha) compared with control plots (275 kg/ha). Furthermore, active fine root biomass was often lower in the 1.0-ha opening than in the 0.1-ha and control plots. A similar trend was established for inactive fine root biomass, although this was not consistent over sampling years. Nutrient concentrations of K, but no other elements, were higher in control plots. Nutrient standing crops, however, followed trends observed in fine root biomass. In the 10-ha clearcuts, the largest changes in fine root biomass occurred at the edge of the opening. The findings suggest that small (<10 ha) cutblocks may maintain greater fine root longevity.

Alpine and Subalpine Wetland Vegetation on the Bogong High Plains, South-eastern Australia

1999 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.-H. Wahren ◽  
R. J. Williams ◽  
W. A. Papst
Keyword(s):  
Soil Depth ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Wetland Vegetation ◽  
High Plains ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Drainage Channels ◽  
Floristic Variation ◽  
Steep Slopes

The botanical composition and structure of wetland vegetation from seven sites in the alpine and subalpine tracts of the Bogong High Plains was sampled in 1995 and 1996. Sites were in the vicinity of Mts Nelse, Cope and Fainter. Sampling was based on contiguous 1-m2 quadrats along transects 20−70 m long across each wetland. Samples were ordinated using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). Floristic variation was assessed both within selected individual wetlands, and between wetlands from different regions. The relationship between the ordinations and environmental variables such as soil surface texture, soil depth and the amount of bare ground was tested by fitting vectors. Three dominant vegetation assemblages were identified. Closed heath, of hygrophyllous, scleromorphic shrubs such as Richea continentis and Baeckea gunniana, the rush Empodisma minus and the moss Sphagnum cristatum occurred on the deeper peats. Low open heath of Epacris glacialis and Danthonia nivicola occurred on shallow peats. Herbfields of Caltha introloba and Oreobolus pumilio occurred on stony pavements in two different physiographic situations&horbar;on relatively steep slopes (10−20°) at the head of wetlands, and on flat ground (slope < 2°), below the head of wetlands. The pavements on the steeper sites appeared to be associated with periglacial features such as solifluction lobes and terraces. Those on the flatter ground appeared to have been derived more recently. Wetlands in the Mt Cope region consisted of closed heath, low open heath and pavement herbfield in various proportions. Wetlands on Mt Fainter, which are subject to heavy trampling by cattle, were in a degraded condition, with a low cover of major hygrophyllous mosses and shrubs, and a high cover of introduced species. Long-ungrazed wetlands in a 50-year exclosure at Rocky Valley had high cover of closed heath, no pavements, numerous ponds and virtually no entrenched drainage channels or exposed peat. The Caltha herbfields are significant features nationally, both floristically and geomorphologically. Alpine and subalpine wetlands have been listed under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, and continued grazing by cattle is not compatible with the conservation objectives for this alpine vegetation type.

Eco-hydrology interactions between trees, soil and water in terrestrial and wetland areas: The effect of tree planting on water flow dynamics in Wairarapa Wetlands, New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Tapuwa Marapara
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Forested Wetlands ◽  
High Water ◽  
Flood Mitigation ◽  
Forested Wetland ◽  
Soil Hydrology ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Soil And Water

<p>During the last two decades there has been increasing interest in the role of forests and wetlands as flood mitigating tools due to growing concerns regarding the sustainability of many traditional engineering flood defences such as dykes, sea walls and dams. In forests, the role is facilitated by the interaction between trees, soil and water. Specifically trees reduce surface runoff and prevent flooding through increased evapotranspiration and canopy interception and enhance physical and hydraulic properties of soil that are critical for the absorption and retention of flood waters by the soil. It is increasingly realised that the answer to flood mitigation is not a blanket recommendation to “plant trees”. This is because the role of trees varies spatially and temporally as a function of climate, topography, rainfall properties, soil type and condition, catchment scale and geology, among others. For example, where trees are present in wetlands, particularly forested wetlands, the mechanisms by which trees interact with soil and water are similar to that in forests but because of a high water table, the impact of trees may be reduced. Therefore, the mere presence of forests and forested wetlands will not necessarily deliver flood risk management.  The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of trees as flood mitigating tools under various bio-geo climatic factors in forests and forested wetland environments. Three forms of investigation were followed to fulfil this purpose.  A detailed literature review was carried out to assess the role of trees and forests as flood mitigation tools under changing climate, topography, species type, rainfall properties, soil type and condition, catchment scale and geology. A field experiment was carried out to collect data and analyse the effect of trees on soil physical and hydraulic properties that include bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity, soil organic carbon, soil moisture content, matric potential and soil moisture retention in a previously forested wetland undergoing restoration in New Zealand. A spatially explicit decision support tool, the Land Use Capability Indicator (LUCI) was then used to determine appropriate areas where intervention can be targeted to optimise the role of trees as flood mitigating tools in previously forested wetlands undergoing restoration.  The detailed review identified a major data gap in the role of trees under hydric conditions (high water table), along with uncertainties on their effectiveness in large catchments (>˜40 km²) and in extreme rainfall events. The field experiment provided the first set of soil hydrology data from an ephemeral wetland in New Zealand showing the benefits of newly established trees in improving hydraulic conductivity of soils. The soil hydrology data is a useful baseline for continuous monitoring of the forested wetlands undergoing restoration. The use of the Land Use Capability Indicator was its first application for the optimisation of flood mitigation in a forested wetland. Its suggested target areas are not necessarily conducive for survival of some tree species, although if suitable species are established, flood risk mitigation could be maximised. Further research on what native species are best for what conditions and in what combinations is recommended, to increase survival in the proposed target areas.</p>

Vegetation and vegetation-environment relationships at Grootbos Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa

Bothalia ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Mergili ◽  
S. Privett
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Cape Floristic Region ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Floristic Diversity ◽  
Rock Cover ◽  
Scrub Forest ◽  
Fire Incidence

The private Grootbos Nature Reserve is located at the Western edge of the Agulhas Plain in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa, an area characterized by high habitat and floristic diversity. The Reserve is covered in near-natural fynbos shrublands with a few patches of forest and wetland. The main objective of this study was to classify the vegetation into discrete units and relate them to the prevailing environmental conditions. The vegetation was analysed by numerical means (TWINSPAN, DC A, CCA) and mapped on GIS. At the vegetation type level. Forest Thicket and Fynbos formed distinctive clusters, whereas the wetland releves were intermixed, but without relationships to one of these units. Fire incidence served as the major determinant of the forest-fynbos boundary. The Forest Thicket grouping was separated into Thicket (as transitional to fynbos), Afromontane Forest and Milkwood Scrub Forest. Two broad complexes were distinguished within the Fynbos grouping, the Alkaline Sand Fynbos Complex corresponding to Coastal Fynbos. and the Acid Sand Fynbos Complex corresponding to Mountain Fynbos. They discriminated along gradients of pH. soil depth and rock cover. The complexes were further subdivided into formations by using one or a few subjectively chosen dominant species as indicators. The transitions between these formations were rather continuous than discrete. The vegetation type and complex levels correspond well to existing fynbos-wide classifications. Comparing the formations to the results of other vegetation studies is problematic even on the scale of the Agulhas Plain, due to the high regional plant diversity in the Fynbos Biome.

scholarly journals Impact of Soil Compaction on Bulk Density and Root Biomass ofQuercus petraeaL. at Reclaimed Post-Lignite Mining Site in Lusatia, Germany

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric K. A. Twum ◽  
Seth Nii-Annang
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Quercus Petraea ◽  
Mining Site ◽  
Lignite Mining ◽  
Mining Soil ◽  
The Impact

The impact of soil compaction on bulk density and root biomass ofQuercus petraeaL. was assessed after 85 years of reclamation of post-lignite mining soil at Welzow-South, in Lusatia, Germany. Bulk density of core soils sampled from 20 to 25 cm, 100 to 105 cm, and 200 to 205 cm depths and oven-dried biomass ofQ. petraearoots sampled from 0 to 30 cm and at successive depths of 20 cm, up to 210 cm depth at compacted and uncompacted sites were determined. Bulk density was significantly higher at 20 to 25 cm (1.74±0.09 g cm−3) and 100 to 105 cm (1.65±0.06 g cm−3) depths of the compacted site. Likewise, compaction induced significant greater root biomass within the 0 to 70 cm depth with higher bulk density; root biomass at this depth was 2-fold greater compared to the uncompacted site. Root biomass decreased with soil depth and showed significant relationship with depth at both sites. The result indicates that, after 85 years of reclamation, the impact of soil compaction persisted as evident in higher bulk density and greater root biomass.

Importance of boreal forested wetlands for epiphytic macrolichen communities

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (12) ◽  
pp. 1333-1339
Author(s):  
Tegan Padgett ◽  
Yolanda F. Wiersma
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Forested Wetlands ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Forested Wetland ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Face Threats

Forested wetlands provide ecosystem services and often support elevated levels of biodiversity and rare species. However, forested wetlands are understudied and face threats such as logging and land conversion. Epiphytic lichens are abundant in forested wetlands and may be useful to help delineate microhabitats across wetland–upland gradients. We investigated epiphytic macrolichen richness, diversity, and community composition in 15 sites in the Avalon Forest Ecoregion, Newfoundland, Canada. Within each site, we set up three parallel 40 m transects in (i) the forested wetland, (ii) the ecotone, and (iii) the upland forest. Along each transect, we selected five balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) trees 10 m apart and surveyed for macrolichens on the lower bole. We collected data on tree height and tree diameter at breast height, which differed significantly among forest types. We also collected data on tree age and canopy cover, which did not differ significantly among forest types. Contrary to hypotheses suggesting that biodiversity is highest in ecotones, we found that mean macrolichen richness was significantly higher in wetlands, lower in the ecotones, and lowest in upland forests, and macrolichen diversity followed a similar pattern but with no significant difference among groups. Macrolichen community composition significantly differed among wetlands, ecotones, and upland forests. A lichen of conservation concern, Erioderma pedicellatum (Hue) P.M. Jørg., was detected primarily in forested wetlands, highlighting wetlands as key habitats for rare epiphytic macrolichens.

scholarly journals Quantity and distribution of fine root biomass in the intermediate stage of beech virgin forest Badínsky prales

2009 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 11) ◽  
pp. 502-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Jaloviar ◽  
L. Bakošová ◽  
S. Kucbel ◽  
J. Vencurik
Keyword(s):  
Root Length ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Intermediate Stage ◽  
Fine Root Biomass ◽  
Virgin Forest ◽  
Fine Root Length

The fine root biomass represents 3,372 kg/ha in the intermediate stage of the beech virgin forest with different admixture of goat willow, where the vast majority of this biomass is located in the uppermost mineral soil layer 0–10 cm. The variability of the fine root biomass calculated from 35 sample points represents approximately 90% of the mean value and reaches the highest value within the humus layer. The total fine root length investigated in 10 cm thick soil layers decreases with increasing soil depth. A significant linear relationship between the fine root length (calculated per 1 cm thick soil layer and 1 m<sup>2</sup> of stand area) and the soil depth was confirmed, although the correlation is rather weak. The number of root tips decreases with increasing soil depth faster than the root length. As the number of tips per 1 cm of root length remains in the finest diameter class without significant changes, the reason is above all a decreased proportion of the finest root class (diameter up to 0.5 mm) from the total fine root length within the particular soil layer.

scholarly journals Effect of Altitude on Nutrient Concentration, Nutrient Stock and Uptake in Fine Root of Sal (Shorea Robusta Gaertn.) Forest in Terai and Hill Areas of Eastern Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-29
Author(s):  
Krishna Prasad Bhattarai ◽  
Tej Narayan Mandal ◽  
Tilak Prasad Gautam
Keyword(s):  
Fine Roots ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Nutrient Concentration ◽  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Fine Root Biomass ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Nutrient Stock ◽  
Sal Forest

The present study was conducted to understand the effect of altitude on the nutrient concentration, nutrient stock, and uptake in the fine root of the Terai Sal forest (TSF) and Hill Sal forest (HSF) in eastern Nepal. Annual mean fine root biomass in 0-30 cm soil depth was found higher in HSF (6.27 Mg ha-1) than TSF (5.05 Mg ha-1). Conversely, fine root production was higher in TSF (4.8 Mg ha-1 y-1) than HSF (4.12 Mg ha-1 y-1). Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content in fine roots were slightly higher in TSF than HSF. Nutrient concentration in fine roots of smaller size (<2 mm diameter) was nearly 1.2 times greater than that of larger size (2–5 mm diameter) in both forests. In HSF total stock of different nutrients (kg ha-1) in fine root was 55.62 N, 4.99 P, and 20.15 K whereas, these values were 49.49 N, 4.14 P, and 19.27 K only in TSF. However, total nutrient uptake (kg ha-1y-1) by fine root (both size classes) was greater in TSF (48.5 N, 4.3 P, and 18.6 K) than HSF (36.9 N, 3.3 P, and 13.5 K). The variability in fine root nutrient dynamics between these two forests was explained by the differences in fine root biomass and production which were influenced by the combined effect of varied altitude and season. The fine root, as being a greater source of organic matter, the information on its nutrient dynamics is inevitable for the management of soil nutrients in the forest ecosystem.

Organic matter dynamics of fine roots in plantations of slash pine (Pinuselliottii) in north Florida

1986 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 529-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry L. Gholz ◽  
Laurel C. Hendry ◽  
Wendell P. Cropper Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Root Diameter ◽  
Slash Pine ◽  
Root Turnover ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Seasonal Patterns ◽  
Turnover Rates

Seasonal patterns of live, dead, and unknown viability fine (diameter, ≤10 mm) roots of pine and other vegetation in a young and old slash pine stand were sampled using monthly soil coring over a 24-month period. A distinct unimodal pattern for roots <1 mm in diameter in the surface soil was observed. Live roots increased in the spring to a peak in midsummer and then declined. Larger roots and roots deeper in the soil showed less distinct seasonal patterns, although maximum and minimum annual biomass values were sometimes significantly different. Decomposition of fine roots in buried mesh bags averaged 15–20% per year for roots <5 mm in diameter. An analysis of seasonal dynamics and decompositon rates were combined to construct organic matter budgets for the forest floor and soil. Estimated net root production for roots ≤10 mm in diameter was 590 and 626 g m−2 year−1 in the young and old stand, respectively. Root turnover contributed 214 and 452 g m−2 year−1 to detrital pools on the two sites, with the balance of production accumulating as standing root biomass or lost in decomposition. Root production and turnover rates decreased with increasing root diameter; most production was from roots <1 mm. Pine root production was greater and nonpine production was less in the older stand than in the younger stand. Compared with other temperate and boreal forests, root biomass was high and net root production relatively low. The low production:biomass ratio may be characteristic of low latitude (warm) and (or) low nutrient forest types.

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