The distribution and productivity of fine roots in boreal forests

Persson, Henrik J.

doi:10.1007/978-94-009-6833-2_9

Cited by 123 publications

(129 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…These criteria were developed before root sorting, using samples of known species from the study sites and based on previous work by our team (Helmisaari and Brunner 2006;Helmisaari, H-S, personal communication). The dead roots were mainly separated based on colour, appearance of the phloem (outer layer of bark), elasticity of the tissue and toughness (Persson 1983;Tufekcioglu et al 1999;Laiho and Finér 1996). These properties were checked under a stereomicroscope.…”

Section: Identification Of Fine Rootsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating fine-root production by tree species and understorey functional groups in two contrasting peatland forests

et al. 2016

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Background and aims Estimation of root-mediated carbon fluxes in forested peatlands is needed for understanding ecosystem functioning and supporting greenhouse gas inventories. Here, we aim to determine the optimal methodology for utilizing ingrowth cores in estimating annual fine-root production (FRP) and its vertical distribution in trees, shrubs and herbs. Methods We used 3-year data obtained with modified ingrowth core method and tested two calculation methods: 'ingrowth-dividing' and 'ingrowthsubtracting'. Results The ingrowth-dividing method combined with a 2-year incubation of ingrowth cores can be used for the 'best estimate' of FRP. The FRP in the nutrient-rich fen forest (561 g m −2 ) was more than twice that in the nutrient-poor bog forest (244 g m −2 ). Most FRP occurred in the top 20-cm layer (76-82 %). Tree FRP accounted for 71 % of total FRP in the bog and 94 % in the fen forests, respectively, following the aboveground vegetation patterns; however, in fen forest the proportions of spruce and birch in FRP were higher than their proportions in stand basal area. Conclusions Our methodology may be used to study peatland FRP patterns more widely and will reduce the volume of labour-intensive work, but will benefit from verification with other methods, as is the case in all in situ FRP studies.

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Section: Identification Of Fine Rootsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating fine-root production by tree species and understorey functional groups in two contrasting peatland forests

et al. 2016

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“…Fine-root growth into root-free ingrowth cores has frequently been used as a simple method to estimate fine-root production in forests (for example, Persson 1979Persson , 1983Vogt and others 1998;Makkonen and Helmisaari 1999;Jentschke and others 2001). However, the manipulation of growth conditions (for example, root injury during installation, no competition processes, disturbed soil) may lead to biased results on root productivity .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Root Growth and Recovery in Temperate Broad-Leaved Forest Stands Differing in Tree Species Diversity

2009

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In contrast to studies on aboveground processes, the effect of species diversity on belowground productivity and fine-root regrowth after disturbance is still poorly studied in forests. In 12 oldgrowth broad-leaved forest stands, we tested the hypotheses that (i) the productivity and recovery rate (regrowth per standing biomass) of the fineroot system (root diameter < 2 mm) increase with increasing tree species diversity, and that (ii) the seasonality of fine-root biomass and necromass is more pronounced in pure than in tree species-rich stands as a consequence of non-synchronous root biomass peaks of the different species. We investigated stands with 1, 3, and 5 dominant tree species growing under similar soil and climate conditions for changes in fine-root biomass and necromass during a 12-month period and estimated fine-root productivity with two independent approaches (ingrowth cores, sequential coring). According to the analysis of 360 ingrowth cores, fine-root growth into the root-free soil increased with tree species diversity from 72 g m -2 y -1 in the monospecific plots to 166 g m -2 y -1 in the 5-species plots, indicating an enhanced recovery rate of the root system after soil disturbance with increasing species diversity (0.26, 0.34, and 0.51 y -1 in 1-, 3-, and 5-species plots, respectively). Fine-root productivity as approximated by the sequential coring data also indicated a roughly threefold increase from the monospecific to the 5-species stand. We found no indication of a more pronounced seasonality of fine-root mass in species-poor as compared to species-rich stands. We conclude that species identification on the fine root level, as conducted here, may open new perspectives on tree species effects on root system dynamics. Our study produced first evidence in support of the hypothesis that the fine-root systems of more diverse forest stands are more productive and recover more rapidly after soil disturbance than that of species-poor forests.

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“…It is recognized that the ectomycorrhizal roots of the tree species which dominate the boreal and temperate forest zones develop most prolifically just below the litter layer (Harley 1940;Werlich & Lyr, 1957;Mikola & Laiho, 1962;Lyr, 1963;Persson, 1983;Fogel & Hunt, 1979;Vogt et al, 1980Vogt et al, , 1982. Harley (1969) pointed out that the mother roots of beech frequently grow horizontally in the sub-surface layers and that they produce mycorrhizal branches which grow upwards.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Proteins in the Nitrogen Nutrition of Ectomycorrhizal Plants

1986

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SUMMARYThe ability of a range of commonly occurring ectomycorrhizal fungi to utilize peptides and proteins as sole sources of nitrogen at a range of pH levels was examined by determining patterns of growth and nitrogen uptake in liquid cultures. Differences in patterns of utilization of the nitrogenous substrates were found. Some of the fungi had little ability to grow on peptides or proteins but grew well on ammonium and were termed 'non-protein fungi'. Others grew vigorously on peptide and protein, severely depleting N contents of the growth media. These were termed 'protein fungi'. An intermediate category was also recognized in which some growth occurred on protein at most of the pH levels though final yields were lower than those of the 'protein fungi'.The implications of the results are discussed in relation to the ability of the fungi to sustain a saprotrophic or mycorrhizal habit in soils differing qualitatively in their nitrogen status.

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The distribution and productivity of fine roots in boreal forests

Cited by 123 publications

References 25 publications

Estimating fine-root production by tree species and understorey functional groups in two contrasting peatland forests

Estimating fine-root production by tree species and understorey functional groups in two contrasting peatland forests

Root Growth and Recovery in Temperate Broad-Leaved Forest Stands Differing in Tree Species Diversity

The Role of Proteins in the Nitrogen Nutrition of Ectomycorrhizal Plants

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