FINE ROOT BIOMASS OF ERICA TRIMERA (ENGL.) ALONG AN ALTITUDINAL GRADIENT ON BALE MOUNTAINS, ETHIOPIA

Fine roots biomass of Erica trimera was investigated at three altitudinal levels, i.e. 3000, 3300, and 3500 masl across three depth classes (0-10, 10-20, and 20-40 cm) for each of the four seasons of Bale Mountains by using sequential soil coring. Soil chemical characteristics and moisture were analyzed for all of the three altitudinal levels and depth classes. The annual fine root production of the species was calculated based on min-max method. Fine root production increased markedly from 3270 kg. ha-1. yr-1 at 3000 masl and 2850 kg. ha-1. yr-1 at 3300 masl to 9987 kg. ha-1. yr-1 at 3500 masl. Total nitrogen, available phosphorous, organic carbon, moisture content and PH of the soil increased significantly as altitude increased. In the two lower altitudinal levels, 3000 and 3300masl, fine root mass and biomass decreased as depth increased, but at the higher altitude (3500 masl) fine root tended to more concentrated at the deeper depths while the availability of soil nutrient and soil acidity showed a tendency to decreased as depth increased at all of the three sites. The highest fine root mass and biomass was recorded at the major rainy season followed by the transition period, the small rainy and dry period, in that order. The highest fine root mass during the major rainy season and lowest fine root mass in the dry season indicated that soil moisture was critical factor in governing the pattern of root growth in this ecosystem.

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Fine root mass and fine root production in tropical moist forests as dependent on soil, climate, and elevation

Tropical Montane Cloud Forests ◽

10.1017/cbo9780511778384.048 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 428-444 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

D. Hertel ◽

Ch. Leuschner ◽

L. A. Bruijnzeel ◽

F. N. Scatena ◽

L. S. Hamilton

Keyword(s):

Fine Root ◽

Root Production ◽

Fine Root Production ◽

Root Mass ◽

Soil Climate

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Analysis of some sources of error in methods used to determine fine root production in forest ecosystems: a simulation approach

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x87-142 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 17 (8) ◽

pp. 909-912 ◽

Cited By ~ 66

Author(s):

W. A. Kurz ◽

J. P. Kimmins

Keyword(s):

Root Biomass ◽

Fine Root ◽

Sampling Error ◽

Simulated Data ◽

Sampling Interval ◽

Fine Root Biomass ◽

Root Production ◽

Seasonal Patterns ◽

Fine Root Production ◽

True Value

Fine root production rates are most commonly calculated from periodic measurements of live and dead fine root biomass. The accuracy of production estimates based on this method is very sensitive to violations of the inherent assumptions, particularly the assumption that the processes of fine root production and mortality are temporally separate. A simple model was used to simulate data for a variety of seasonal patterns of live and dead fine root biomass. Fine root production and mortality rates were calculated from these simulated data using two different computational methods. Comparison of the calculated rates with the known rates (the rates used to generate the seasonal patterns) revealed that violations of the above assumptions can result in inaccurate rate estimates. When fine root production and mortality occur simultaneously within a sampling interval, the calculated production rate will greatly underestimate the true value. Additional error in the rate estimates may result from sampling error associated with the fine root biomass data. The model suggested that sampling error can cause either overestimation or underestimation of fine root production.

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A comparison of methods for estimating forest fine root production with respect to sources of error

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x93-149 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 23 (6) ◽

pp. 1179-1186 ◽

Cited By ~ 55

Author(s):

David A. Publicover ◽

Kristiina A. Vogt

Keyword(s):

Root Biomass ◽

Fine Root ◽

Fine Root Biomass ◽

Decay Rates ◽

Root Production ◽

Accurate Estimation ◽

Fine Root Production ◽

Flow Method ◽

Sources Of Error ◽

Processing Errors

A simulation model approach was used to assess the performance of several methods for calculating fine root production under various conditions that could lead to errors in production estimates. The models included two methods that utilize periodic data on live only or live and dead fine root biomass, plus one method (the compartment-flow model) that also incorporates root decomposition rates. Potential sources of error included long sampling intervals, random sampling error, use of an incorrect decay constant, and sample processing errors (undermeasurement of fine root biomass and inaccuracy in identifying live and dead roots). The compartment-flow method was the most accurate and overcomes the problems of underestimation of production to which the biomass-only methods are subject. The sensitivity of the method to processing errors varies according to the method used to determine decay rates. The measurement of true decay rates is the biggest obstacle to accurate estimation of fine root production when using the compartment-flow method.

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Response of density-related fine root production to soil and leaf traits in coniferous and broad-leaved plantations in the semiarid loess hilly region of China

Journal of Forestry Research ◽

10.1007/s11676-021-01358-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Meimei Sun ◽

Bo-Chao Zhai ◽

Qiu-Wen Chen ◽

Guoqing Li ◽

Sheng Du

Keyword(s):

Root Biomass ◽

Turnover Rate ◽

Fine Root ◽

Black Locust ◽

Leaf Traits ◽

Fine Root Biomass ◽

Pine Plantations ◽

Root Production ◽

Fine Root Production ◽

Chinese Pine

AbstractFine roots are the most active and functional component of root systems and play a significant role in the acquisition of soil resources. Density is an important structural factor in forest plantations but information on changes in fine roots along a density gradient is limited. In this study, plantations of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and Chinese pine (Pinus tabuliformis Carr.) with four density classes were analyzed for the influence of soil and leaf traits on fine root growth. Fine root biomass increased with stand density. High fine root biomass was achieved through increases in the fine root production and turnover rate in the high-density black locust plantations and through an increase in fine root production in the pine plantations. In the high-density Chinese pine stand, there was a high fine root turnover which, coupled with high fine root production, contributed to a high fine root biomass. Overall, fine root production and turnover rate were closely related to soil volumetric water content in both kinds of plantations, while fine root biomass, especially the component of necromass, was related to soil nutrient status, which refers to phosphorous content in black locust plantations and nitrogen content in Chinese pine plantations. There was a close linkage between leaf area index and fine root dynamics in the black locust plantations but not in the pine plantations.

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