Foliage and fine roots in terms of growth efficiency &ndash; a comparison between European beech and Norway spruce at early growth stages

The quantification of stems (under- and overbark), foliage and fine roots in 14-year-old stands of European beech and Norway spruce grown on the same site were evaluated. Therefore, 60 trees of each species were sampled, dry masses of stems and foliage were established and expressed by allometric equations with stem diameter as an independent variable. The spruce allocated a much larger portion of biomass into the foliage than beech. The equations on a tree level were constructed also for specific leaf area and one-sided projected leaf area. Moreover, the quantity and morphological characteristics of fine roots in both stands were surveyed through soil coring. While standing stocks of fine roots were similar in the stands of both tree species, significant interspecies differences occurred in morphological properties of roots. Growth efficiency, expressing annual stem production on a variety of foliage and fine root parameters was calculated. The largest differences, specifically fivefold in favour of spruce, were found in growth efficiency based on a number of root tips.

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Similar foliage area but contrasting foliage biomass between young beech and spruce stands / Porovnateľná plocha avšak kontrastná biomasa asimilačných orgánov medzi mladými porastmi buka a smreka

Forestry Journal ◽

10.1515/forj-2015-0002 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 60 (4) ◽

pp. 205-213 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Bohdan Konôpka ◽

Jozef Pajtík

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area ◽

Morphological Properties ◽

Tree Level ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Total Biomass ◽

Growth Strategies ◽

Tree Biomass ◽

Coarse Roots ◽

Area Index ◽

Total Tree

Abstract The study focuses on two young stands of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) of the same age (12-yearold) with similar sized trees grown at near identical sites. After performing a destructive sampling technique which included all tree compartments except fine roots; allometric equations were constructed for all tree components. Diameter at stem base (do) was utilized as an independent variable for the equations. The models expressed not only biomass of woody parts (branches, stem and coarse roots) and foliage but also foliage area and specific leaf area (SLA). Results indicate that the basic morphological properties of foliage vary in both species along the vertical crown profile. In spruce, contrasting values of needle area and SLA were recorded among needle sets (based on year of establishment). On a tree level, both spruce and beech had similar foliage areas however, beech had a larger biomass comprising of woody parts while spruce biomass was dominated by foliage. Therefore the leaf mass ratio (LMR) defined as the ratio between foliage biomass and total tree biomass, as well as leaf area ratio (LAR) defined as the ratio between leaf area and total tree biomass were much larger in spruce than in beech species. On a stand level, spruce manifested a higher value (18.64 m2.m−2) of leaf area index (LAI) than beech (12.77 m2.m−2). Moreover, while the biomass of foliage was 4.6 times higher in spruce than in beech, total biomass of woody parts were similar in both stands. These contrasts indicate very different growth strategies and biomass allocations between beech and spruce at the young growth stages

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Differences in fine root traits between Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) – A case study in the Kysucké Beskydy Mts

Journal of Forest Science ◽

10.17221/10/2009-jfs ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 55 (No. 12) ◽

pp. 556-566 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

B. Konôpka

Keyword(s):

Picea Abies ◽

Norway Spruce ◽

Fagus Sylvatica ◽

Seasonal Dynamics ◽

Fine Roots ◽

Fine Root ◽

Root Traits ◽

European Beech ◽

Root Turnover ◽

Mortality Ratio

Interspecific comparisons of the fine root “behaviour” under stressful situations may answer questions related to resistance to changing environmental conditions in the particular tree species. Our study was focused on Norway spruce (<I>Picea abies</I> [L.] Karst.) and European beech (<I>Fagus sylvatica</I> L.) grown in an acidic soil where acidity was caused by past air pollution in the Kysucké Beskydy Mts., North-Western Slovakia. Between April and October 2006, the following fine root traits were studied: biomass and necromass seasonal dynamics, vertical distribution, production, mortality, fine root turnover and production to mortality ratio. Sequential soil coring was repeatedly implemented in April, June, July, September, and October including the soil layers of 0–5, 5–15, 15–25, and 25–35 cm. Results indicated that spruce had a lower standing stock of fine roots than beech, and fine roots of spruce were more superficially distributed than those of beech. Furthermore, we estimated higher seasonal dynamics and also higher turnover of fine roots in spruce than in beech. The production to mortality ratio was higher in beech than in spruce, which was hypothetically explained as the effect of drought episodes that occurred in July and August. The results suggested that the beech root system could resist a physiological stress better than that of spruce. This conclusion was supported by different vertical distributions of fine roots in spruce and beech stands.

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Seasonal dynamics of δ13C of C-rich fractions fromPicea abies(Norway spruce) andFagus sylvatica(European beech) fine roots

Plant Cell & Environment ◽

10.1111/pce.12765 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 39 (9) ◽

pp. 2004-2013 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alex M. Paya ◽

Thorsten E. E. Grams ◽

Taryn L. Bauerle

Keyword(s):

Norway Spruce ◽

Seasonal Dynamics ◽

Fine Roots ◽

European Beech

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Biomass allocation in natural regeneration of Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies trees in Italian Alps

Forestry Studies / Metsanduslikud Uurimused ◽

10.2478/fsmu-2014-0009 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 61 (1) ◽

pp. 35-46 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Fabio Pastorella ◽

Alessandro Paletto

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area ◽

Norway Spruce ◽

Biomass Allocation ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Area Index ◽

Ground Biomass ◽

Non Linear ◽

Below Ground ◽

The Relationship ◽

Linear Regressions

Abstract Biomass allocation in seedlings and saplings at different stages of growth is important information for studying the response of species to site conditions. The objectives of the paper are: (a) to analyse the relationship between height and biomass in young Norway spruce and European beech trees, (b) to study the influence of the leaf area on ontogenetic growth stages and biomass sequestration capacity on the regeneration of these two species. 96 seedlings (H < 30 cm) and saplings (31 < H < 130 cm) were collected in different light conditions in a case study in the Alps (Trentino province, Italy). Leaf Area Index and shoot/root ratio were used as indicators of the ecological conditions (e.g. light, soil moisture, nutrient status) able to influence the seedlings and saplings growth. Two non-linear regressions were fitted to analyse the relationship between height and biomass and to develop the aboveground and below-ground allometric equations. Non-linear regressions show that sapling or seedling height is a good predictor of above-ground and below-ground biomass with a R2aj above 0.8 for all equations and a R2aj above 0.9 for above-ground biomass of Norway spruce. The results show that silvicultural practices may influence the regeneration patterns and increase the biomass allocation rate influencing stand density and canopy cover.

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Transgressive overyielding in mixed compared with pure stands of Norway spruce and European beech in Central Europe: evidence on stand level and explanation on individual tree level

European Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1007/s10342-008-0215-9 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 128 (2) ◽

pp. 183-204 ◽

Cited By ~ 177

Author(s):

Hans Pretzsch ◽

Gerhard Schütze

Keyword(s):

Norway Spruce ◽

Central Europe ◽

European Beech ◽

Tree Level ◽

Individual Tree

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Chemical and Morphological Composition of Norway Spruce Wood (Picea abies, L.) in the Dependence of Its Storage

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13101619 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. 1619

Author(s):

Iveta Čabalová ◽

Michal Bélik ◽

Viera Kučerová ◽

Tereza Jurczyková

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Chemical Analysis ◽

Norway Spruce ◽

Cross Section ◽

Fiber Length ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Morphological Properties ◽

Wet Chemistry ◽

Spruce Wood ◽

Morphological Composition

Chemical composition and morphological properties of Norway spruce wood and bark were evaluated. The extractives, cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin contents were determined by wet chemistry methods. The dimensional characteristics of the fibers (length and width) were measured by Fiber Tester. The results of the chemical analysis of wood and bark show the differences between the trunk and top part, as well as in the different heights of the trunk and in the cross section of the trunk. The biggest changes were noticed between bark trunk and bark top. The bark top contains 10% more of extractives and 9.5% less of lignin. Fiber length and width depends on the part of the tree, while the average of these properties are larger depending on height. Both wood and bark from the trunk contains a higher content of fines (fibers <0.3 mm) and less content of longer fibers (>0.5 mm) compared to the top. During storage, it reached a decrease of extractives mainly in bark. Wood from the trunk retained very good durability in terms of chemical composition during the storage. In view of the morphological characteristics, it occurred to decrease both average fibers length and width in wood and bark.

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Bioelement contents in the planting stock tissues of Norway spruce (Picea abies /L./ Karst.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) after excessive N and Mg fertilization

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis ◽

10.11118/actaun200856010259 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 56 (1) ◽

pp. 259-266

Author(s):

Eva Palátová ◽

Oldřich Mauer ◽

Jiří Libus

Keyword(s):

Picea Abies ◽

Norway Spruce ◽

Fagus Sylvatica ◽

Fine Roots ◽

Small Diameter ◽

European Beech ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Fagus Sylvatica L ◽

Second Year ◽

Mg Content

The paper informs of N, P, K, Ca and Mg-contents in the selected organs (tissues) of 4-year old Norway spruce (Picea abies /L./ Karst.) and 3-year old European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) transplants after two years of Mg fertilization (100 kg Mg.ha−1.year−1) in the form of magnesium sulphate, and N fertilization (100 kg N.ha−1.year−1) in the form of ammonium sulphate. Analyses of buds, needles/leaves, bark and wood of above-ground part, fine roots (≤ 1 mm) and small-diameter roots (> 1 mm) showed that the greatest amounts of uptaken nutrients are in both tree species stored in assimilatory organs and in buds. The increased supply of nitrogen showed most in small-diameter roots (spruce), and in root-wood, and wood of stem and branches (beech). The two species responded to the increased supply of magnesium by increasing the bioelement content in root-wood and in fine roots. The increase of Mg-content in leaves occurred only in the second year of the fertilization.

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Interspecific competition impacts on the morphology and distribution of fine roots in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.)

European Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1007/s10342-005-0075-5 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 125 (1) ◽

pp. 15-26 ◽

Cited By ~ 142

Author(s):

A. Bolte ◽

I. Villanueva

Keyword(s):

Picea Abies ◽

Interspecific Competition ◽

Norway Spruce ◽

Fagus Sylvatica ◽

Fine Roots ◽

European Beech ◽

Fagus Sylvatica L

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Influence of age on growth efficiency of Tsuga canadensis and Picea rubens trees in mixed-species, multiaged northern conifer stands

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x02-120 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 32 (11) ◽

pp. 2032-2042 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Robert S Seymour ◽

Laura S Kenefic

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area ◽

Volume Growth ◽

Growth Efficiency ◽

Tsuga Canadensis ◽

Picea Rubens ◽

Tree Age ◽

Tree Level ◽

Mixed Species ◽

Fundamental Relationship ◽

Negative Effect

Well-known patterns in the fundamental relationship between tree-level stemwood volume increment (VINC) and projected leaf area (PLA) are examined and quantified for Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière (eastern hemlock) and Picea rubens Sarg. (red spruce) growing in managed, mixed-species, multiaged stands in east-central Maine, U.S.A. Both species follow a sigmoid pattern, suggesting a peak growth efficiency (GE, stemwood volume growth per unit of PLA) in mid- to upper-canopy trees with PLAs of less than half that of the largest trees sampled. Tree age negatively influenced the VINCPLA relationship in the expected manner: at a given PLA, older trees produce less stemwood than younger ones. The combined effect of leaf area and age is accurately modeled with a Weibull-like function in which the asymptote is an index of tree maturity defined as tree age relative to an estimated maximum for the species. Although previous studies have independently documented both the sigmoid relationship between VINC and PLA and the negative effect of age, their conclusions have been confounded by the strong correlation between age and mean tree PLA. This study addresses both issues simultaneously, and is the first to demonstrate a decline in GE with age independent from the effect of increasing PLA.

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