Forest canopy reduction stimulates xylem production and lowers carbon concentration in fine roots of European beech

Terzaghi, Mattia; Iorio, Antonino Di; Montagnoli, Antonio; Baesso, Barbara; Scippa, Gabriella Stefania; Chiatante, Donato

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2016.08.010

Cited by 24 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…In this study, fine-root starch concentrations in both tree species were 10–100-fold lower than previously reported values for adult trees under natural growing conditions (e.g., Brunner et al, 2002 ; Barbaroux et al, 2003 ; Terzaghi et al, 2016 ; Rosinger et al, 2020 ). Soil water availability differed between the two tree species starting in the spring of 2003 ( Nikolova et al, 2009 ), a direct result of the ability of spruce to take up and transpire water before beech flushed its leaves ( Beier, 1998 ).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 75%

Fine-Root Traits Reveal Contrasting Ecological Strategies in European Beech and Norway Spruce During Extreme Drought

et al. 2020

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Trees adjust multiple structural and functional organ-specific characteristics, “traits”, to cope with diverse soil conditions. Studies on traits are widely used to uncover ecological species adaptability to varying environments. However, fine-root traits are rarely studied for methodological reasons. We analyzed the adaptability of the fine-root systems of European beech and Norway spruce to extreme drought within species-specific tree groups at Kranzberger Forst (Germany), focusing on the seasonality of morphological, physiological, and biochemical key traits in view of carbon (C) and nitrogen dynamics. We hypothesized that fine roots of both species adjust to seasonal drought: with beech representing a “fast” (i.e. with fast C turnover), and spruce a “slow” (i.e. with long-term C retention) ecological strategy. We identified three functional fine-root categories, based on root function (absorptive or transport fine roots), and mycorrhizal status of the absorptive fine-roots (mycorrhizal or non-mycorrhizal). Solely the non-mycorrhizal absorptive roots adjusted in a species-specific manner supporting fine-root ecological strategy hypothesis. During drought, beech produced thin ephemeral (absorptive non-mycorrhizal) fine roots with high specific fine-root area and high respiratory activity, representing fast C turnover and enabling effective resource exploitation. These adjustments reflect a “fast” ecological strategy. Conversely, spruce absorptive fine roots did not respond to the soil moisture deficit by growth but instead increased root suberization. Drastically lowered respiratory activity of this functional category facilitated C retention and structural persistence during drought, indicating a “slow” ecological strategy in spruce. Absorptive mycorrhizal fine roots maintained respiration throughout the drought event in both tree species, but in spruce this was the only fine-root category with high respiration. This suggests, that spruce relies heavily on mycorrhizal associations as a method of drought resistance. Accumulation of non-structural carbohydrates and high C concentrations were observed in the transport fine roots of both species, indicating drought-induced osmotic protection of these roots. Thus, functional classification enabled us to determine that fine-root branches of each species are not tied to one sole ecological strategy. The suggested approach helps to better understand the complex interplay between structure and function belowground.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 75%

Fine-Root Traits Reveal Contrasting Ecological Strategies in European Beech and Norway Spruce During Extreme Drought

et al. 2020

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“…Root orders along the branching hierarchy of roots < 2 mm in diameter encompass a diversity of forms and functions (Long et al 2013;Iversen et al 2017). In various studies with different species, fine root traits such as respiration (Di Iorio et al 2015), production, lifespan, and decomposition rate (Gill and Jackson 2000;Guo et al 2008, McCormack et al 2012Sun et al 2013;Van Do et al 2016), carbon, starch, and nitrogen concentration (Terzaghi et al 2013(Terzaghi et al , 2016, and relationship with soil temperature and water content (Montagnoli et al 2012a(Montagnoli et al , 2014 vary seasonally. Moreover, this seasonal fine root growth is of different magnitude and type (i.e., longitudinal and radial) depending on the diameter class considered.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An integrated method for high-resolution definition of new diameter-based fine root sub-classes of Fagus sylvatica L.

Montagnoli

Terzaghi

Giussani

et al. 2018

Annals of Forest Science

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& Key message Compared to the traditional approach, applying micrometric image analysis to fine root samples of Fagus sylvatica with subsequent data treatment through principal component and cluster analysis yielded specific diameter sizes for fine root sub-classes having better resolution of the corresponding branching orders, and a more coherent relationship with the values of annual production and turnover rate. & Context Fine root traits are poorly understood, impeding an accurate representation of terrestrial biogeochemical models. Traditionally used, arbitrary diameter thresholds lead to a misestimation of fine root traits such as branching order, environmental relationship, annual production, and turnover rate. & Aims Here, we present, as modification of the traditional method, an integrated approach to segregate, at high-resolution, fine root populations of Fagus sylvatica into new diameter sub-classes that better correspond with the traits mentioned above. & Methods Samples, collected with a sequential soil coring method, were subjected to a micrometric image analysis, and resultant data were treated with principal component and cluster analysis. & Results Results showed that fine roots were distributed into diameter-size sub-classes (0-0.3 mm, 0.3-1 mm, and 1-2 mm) different from those determined by traditional methods (0-0.5 mm, 0.5-1 mm, and 1-2 mm). New sub-classes provided a better resolution of the corresponding branching-orders, and the values of annual production and turnover rate were more coherent with diameter class and soil depth. Moreover, new sub-classes provided a more precise match with soil temperature than traditional methods. & Conclusion Our method may help to unveil fine root dynamics and development, reduce data analysis time, and make the diameter-based classification more precise and trustworthy even in the case of non-intact samples.

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“…As a consequence, greater attention to tree anchorage has entered breeding and nurseries programs [5,6] and silvicultural practices [7][8][9]. While the need to stress the role played by roots not only in tree anchorage but also in nutrition and reserve storage [10][11][12] is clear, the number of studies regarding coarse roots is still too small, and even important aspects of their development remain largely unknown.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Formation of Annual Ring Eccentricity in Coarse Roots within the Root Cage of Pinus ponderosa Growing on Slopes

Montagnoli

Lasserre

Sferra

et al. 2020

Plants

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The coarse roots of Pinus ponderosa included in the cage are the ones most involved in tree stability. This study explored the variations in traits, such as volume, cross-sectional area, and radius length of cage roots, and used those data to develop a mathematical model to better understand the type of forces occurring for each shallow lateral root segment belonging to different quadrants of the three-dimensional (3D) root system architecture. The pattern and intensity of these forces were modelled along the root segment from the branching point to the cage edge. Data of root cage volume in the upper 30 cm of soil showed a higher value in the downslope and windward quadrant while, at a deeper soil depth (>30 cm), we found higher values in both upslope and leeward quadrants. The analysis of radius length and the cross-sectional area of the shallow lateral roots revealed the presence of a considerable degree of eccentricity of the annual rings at the branching point and at the cage edge. This eccentricity is due to the formation of compression wood, and the eccentricity changes from the top portion at the branching point to the bottom portion at the cage edge, which we hypothesize may be a response to the variation in mechanical forces occurring in the various zones of the cage. This hypothesis is supported by a mathematical model that shows how the pattern and intensity of different types of mechanical forces are present within the various quadrants of the same root system from the taproot to the cage edge.

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Forest canopy reduction stimulates xylem production and lowers carbon concentration in fine roots of European beech

Cited by 24 publications

References 48 publications

Fine-Root Traits Reveal Contrasting Ecological Strategies in European Beech and Norway Spruce During Extreme Drought

Fine-Root Traits Reveal Contrasting Ecological Strategies in European Beech and Norway Spruce During Extreme Drought

An integrated method for high-resolution definition of new diameter-based fine root sub-classes of Fagus sylvatica L.

Formation of Annual Ring Eccentricity in Coarse Roots within the Root Cage of Pinus ponderosa Growing on Slopes

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