Variation in fine root biomass of three European tree species: Beech (Fagus sylvaticaL.), Norway spruce (Picea abiesL. Karst.), and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestrisL.)

Abstract

Fine roots (52 mm) are very dynamic and play a key role in forest ecosystem carbon and nutrient cycling and accumulation. We reviewed root biomass data of three main European tree species European beech, (Fagus sylvatica L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), in order to identify the differences between species, and within and between vegetation zones, and to show the relationships between root biomass and the climatic, site and stand factors. The collected literature consisted of data from 36 beech, 71 spruce and 43 pine stands. The mean fine root biomass of beech was 389 g m 72, and that of spruce and pine 297 g m 72 and 277 g m 72 , respectively. Data from pine stands supported the hypothesis that root biomass is higher in the temperate than in the boreal zone. The results indicated that the root biomass of deciduous trees is higher than that of conifers. The correlations between root biomass and site fertility characteristics seemed to be species specific. There was no correlation between soil acidity and root biomass. Beech fine root biomass decreased with stand age whereas pine root biomass increased with stand age. Fine root biomass at tree level correlated better than stand level root biomass with stand characteristics. The results showed that there exists a strong relationship between the fine root biomass and the above-ground biomass.

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

“…in July, the quantity of dead fine roots in spruce (868 kg/ha) was 1.4 times lower than in beech (1,253 kg/ha). Similar results can be found in the paper of Finér et al (2007). These authors processed the data originating from many sites all over the European temperate zone.…”

“…) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.; Schmid 2002), Norway spruce, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and European beech (Finér et al 2007), Scots pine and Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L., Konôpka et al 2005), among a variety of broadleaves (Rewald, Leuschner 2009). Most studies have a limited possibility to generalize their findings because of including only few features of fine roots and/or site-specific results (an exception can be found in Finér et al 2007). Hence, more comprehensive studies on fine roots (mainly necromass, biomass, vertical distribution, seasonal dynamics, turnover, morphological traits, stress responses) in a variety of tree species originating from contrasting growth conditions will be valuable.…”

“…In fact, only a few studies have been conducted on this problem, for instance comparing Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst. ) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.; Schmid 2002), Norway spruce, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and European beech (Finér et al 2007), Scots pine and Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L., Konôpka et al 2005), among a variety of broadleaves (Rewald, Leuschner 2009). Most studies have a limited possibility to generalize their findings because of including only few features of fine roots and/or site-specific results (an exception can be found in Finér et al 2007).…”

Potassium fertilization affects the distribution of fine roots but does not change ectomycorrhizal community structure

“…However, after K-fertilization, the basal area to fine root biomass did not change which suggests that there is no major change in allocation, but rather larger trees support a larger fine root system, and that this is formed preferentially in less exploited mineral soil layers. For example, for Picea abies, there is a strong positive correlation between stem cross sectional area and fine root biomass per tree (Finér et al 2007). Thus, larger trees have a higher fine root biomass, and on a stand basis, fine root biomass will be higher without changes in allocation to fine roots.…”

Characteristics of Fine Roots of Pinus massoniana in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China

“…Most published literature is on the characteristics of fine roots in diameter class <2 mm in forests across different species, stand ages, and geo-graphic regions [16,25,26]. However, fine roots in diameter class <2 mm alone are not indicative of the functional potential of the fine root system because this system is composed of individual roots with heterogeneous physiological and morphological traits [27,28].…”