细柄阿丁枫和米槠细根寿命影响因素

采用微根管技术对福建建瓯万木林自然保护区细柄阿丁枫(ALG)和米槠(CAC)细根进行了连续2 a的观测。估计细根寿命采用Kaplan-Meier方法,用对数秩检验(log-rank test)比较单一因素(细根直径、序级、出生年份、出生季节、土层以及邻近细根数量)对细根寿命的影响。同时采用Cox比例风险回归分析方法,分析上述因素对细根存活的影响程度。结果表明:细柄阿丁枫细根平均寿命和中值寿命分别为(286±8)d和(184±9)d,而米槠的则分别为(261±10)d和(212±8)d。仅考虑单一因素时,出生季节、径级、序级以及邻近细根数量对细柄阿丁枫和米槠细根寿命皆有极显著影响(P<0.01);出生年份对米槠细根寿命有极显著影响(P<0.01),但对细柄阿丁枫细根寿命的影响无统计学意义(P>0.05);土层深度对细柄阿丁枫细根寿命有极显著影响(P<0.01),而对米槠细根寿命的影响无统计学意义(P>0.05)。Cox比例风险回归分析则表明出生年份对二者细根寿命的影响皆无统计学意义(P>0.05),影响因素按照影响程度大小排列均依次是序级、出生季节、细根直径、邻近细根数量,而土层对细柄阿丁枫细根寿命的影响最弱,对米槠细根寿命的影响无统计学意义(P>0.05)。     

樟子松人工林细根寿命估计及影响因子研究

细根寿命的估计是了解细根生产和死亡的关键, 对了解陆地生态系统碳分配格局和养分循环具有重要意义。该研究采用微根管(minirhizotron)技术, 以23年生樟子松(Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica)人工林为研究对象, 对细根生长和死亡过程进行了连续两年的观测。细根寿命的估计采用Kaplan-Meier方法, 计算细根的平均寿命(mean longevity)、中值寿命(median longevity)和累积存活率(cumulative survival rate), 用对数秩检验(log-rank test)比较单一因素, 包括细根直径、根序、出生季节和土层以及菌根侵染对细根寿命的影响。采用Cox比例风险回归分析方法, 同时分析上述因素对细根存活的影响程度。结果表明, 樟子松细根的生产和死亡具有明显的季节性, 春末和夏季(6月和7月)为生产高峰; 而死亡高峰出现在夏末至秋末, 以及冬季。樟子松细根的平均和中值寿命分别为(322 ± 10)天和(310 ± 15)天, 对数秩检验表明, 仅考虑单一因子时, 细根直径、根序、出生季节和土层以及菌根侵染均对细根寿命有显著影响。Cox回归分析表明, 菌根侵染、细根直径和土层是影响樟子松细根寿命的重要因子。细根直径每增加1 mm, 细根死亡危险率就降低99%, 即相当于寿命延长99%; 细根出生土层每增加1 cm, 其寿命延长5%; 而菌根侵染后, 会导致细根死亡危险率增加175%; 但根序和出生季节的影响不显著。这些发现证实: 林木细根寿命受到内在与外在因素的共同控制, 而多变量回归分析的方法有助于我们全面揭示细根寿命变异的潜在机制。     

柠条人工林细根不同分枝根序寿命估计

植物细根在发育结构上表现的形态特征和生理功能异质性影响细根寿命的准确估计,因此了解分枝根序细根寿命差异对于深入认识细根的周转过程和陆地生态系统碳分配具有重要意义。采用微根管(Minirhizotron)技术对晋西北黄土区的五年生柠条(Caragana Korshinskii Kom.)人工林细根的生长过程进行了为期3a(2007—2009年)的追踪观测,分析了不同因素(土层深度、季节变化、空间位置)对一级根和高级根寿命的影响。结果表明:(1)在各土层深度处,一级根的中值寿命均低于高级根中值寿命,其中一级根中值寿命表现随土层深度增加而增加趋势,而高级根除表层0—20 cm中值寿命较短外,各土层间变化趋势不明显,40—60 cm、80—100 cm土层高级根在观测期结束时其累积存活率仍在50%以上;(2)不同季节出生一级根和高级根的中值寿命季节性表现为:秋季夏季春季,并且在各个季节均表现,高级根寿命显著大于一级根寿命(P0.01);一级根仅夏季与秋季差异性不显著(P0.05),而高级根仅春季与秋季存在极显著差异(P0.01);(3)一级根和高级根距树干基部0 cm处细根中值寿命均大于50 cm处一级根和高级根细根的中值寿命。同一位置处高级根寿命要大于一级根寿命。在距树干基部0 cm处和50 cm处,一级根和高级根的寿命均存在极显著差异(P0.01),但高级根却在距树干基部0 cm和50 cm处差异不明显,而一级根却表现极显著差异(P0.01)。     

杉木人工林细根寿命的影响因素

利用微根管技术探讨细根径级、序级、出生季节、土层和林龄对福建南平18年生和90年生杉木人工林细根寿命的影响。杉木林细根中值寿命随径级增大而延长,18年生杉木人工林直径d≤0.3 mm、0.3<d≤0.6 mm、0.6<d≤1.0 mm和d>1.0 mm的细根中值寿命分别为(125±47) d、(158±16) d、(248±18) d和(272±53)d;90年生杉木人工林直径d≤0.3 mm和0.3<d≤0.6 mm的中值寿命分别为(95±20) d和(200±17) d,而0.6<d≤1.0 mm和d>1.0 mm的细根在观测期结束时,其累积存活率仍高于50%。18年生和90年生杉木高序级细根累积存活率都显著高于一级根,一级细根中值寿命分别为(180±13) d和(200±18) d,而高级根在观测期结束时,其累积存活率仍大于50%。18年生杉木秋季出生的细根累积存活率显著高于夏季,90年生杉木冬季和秋季出生的细根累积存活率均极显著高于春季和夏季。18年生杉木冬季、秋季、春季、夏季出生细根的中值寿命分别为(216±16) d、(248±12) d、(172±6) d和125 d;90年生杉木秋季、春季、夏季出生细根中值寿命分别为383 d、(127±23) d和(106±19) d,而冬季出生的细根在观测期结束时累积存活率仍在50%以上。90年生杉木细根累积存活率随土壤深度增加而显著增加,土层深度0< D≤20 cm和20<D≤40 cm细根中值寿命分别为(156±14) d和(241±24) d,而40<D≤60 cm土层细根寿命在观测期结束时累积存活率仍在50%以上;18年生不同土层细根累积存活率则均无显著差异,中值寿命分别为(187±19) d、(216±28) d和(120±47) d。不同林龄相同径级或序级细根的存活曲线均无显著差异;除了夏季外,不同季节出生的同生根群存活率曲线在不同林龄之间均具有显著差异;0<D≤20cm、20<D≤40cm土层细根存活曲线在不同林龄间无显著差异,但40<D≤60cm土层的细根存活曲线在不同林龄间则存在显著差异。     

连作杨树人工林细根寿命的代际差异及其影响因素

细根寿命是调控森林生产力形成的关键。通过在连作Ⅰ、Ⅱ代杨树人工林固定样地内埋设微根管,对杨树不同根序细根年度生长动态开展连续观测并进行生存分析。结果表明,杨树不同根序细根累积生存率存在显著差异,高级根(3—5级)寿命较长,其累积生存率显著高于1级和2级细根。杨树细根寿命存在显著的代际差异,连作Ⅱ代人工林活根量、死根量和细根总量均高于Ⅰ代林。连作Ⅱ代人工林细根中位值寿命为(90±16)d,显著低于Ⅰ代人工林((102±22)d)。连作Ⅱ代林各根序细根数量、分布比例均高于Ⅰ代林,低级细根累积生存率低于Ⅰ代林而高级细根累积生存率显著高于Ⅰ代林。连作杨树人工林细根寿命显著受制于土壤环境,1级细根寿命与土壤速效氮相关性极显著(r=-0.861),2级细根寿命与土壤物理性状相关性较强且与土壤酚酸含量呈现极显著相关(r=0.870),高级根序细根寿命与土壤物理性质和养分状况等也具有一定相关性。连作杨树人工林土壤酚酸累积和养分有效性下降影响了细根寿命和周转,并进而造成净初级生产力损耗,相关结论为连作杨树人工林生产力衰退机理模型的建立提供了科学依据。     

水曲柳和落叶松细根寿命的估计

树木细根(直径≤2 mm)是控制树木与其周围环境进行能量交换和物质分配的主要器官,其寿命的长短决定了每年被分配到土壤中碳和养分的数量。我们使用微根管技术监测了水曲柳(Fraxinus mandshurica)和落叶松(Larix gmelinii)细根生长、衰老、死亡的动态过程,运用Kaplan-Meier方法估计细根存活率及中位值寿命(Median root lifespan,MRL),做存活曲线(Survival curve)。用对数秩检验(Log-rank test)比较不同树种、不同土壤层次、不同季节出生的细根寿命差异程度。研究结果表明,随观测期延长,细根存活率逐渐下降,在观测期内的各个时点上,水曲柳细根存活率显著高于落叶松(p<0.001),说明水曲柳细根寿命明显长于落叶松,两树种的MRL分别为111±7 d和77±4 d。无论是水曲柳还是落叶松,土壤下层(20~40 cm)的细根存活率始终高于上层(0~20 cm),差异程度均达到显著水平(p_落=0.001, p_水<0.001),落叶松上下两层的MRL分别为62±11 d 和95±11 d,水曲柳为111±6 d和124±20 d,这与土壤环境因子的垂直分布有关,下层土壤延长细根寿命。不同同龄根群(Root cohort)的细根寿命不同。落叶松夏季产生的细根存活率显著高于春季(p=0.042),中位值寿命分别是MRL_春=47±13 d,MRL_夏=82±6 d。水曲柳不同细根同龄根群与落叶松具有相似的季节性,夏季产生的细根存活率在同一时间点上要显著高于春季(p=0.014)。     

水曲柳和落叶松不同根序之间细根直径的变异研究

细根直径大小和根序高低对细根寿命和周转估计具有重要的影响,研究不同根序之间的直径变异对认识细根直径与根序的关系具有重要意义。该文根据Pregitzer等(2002)提供的方法,研究了位于东北林业大学帽儿山实验林场尖砬沟森林培育实验站17年生水曲柳(Fraxinus mandshurica)和落叶松(Larix gmelinii)人工林细根1~5级根序的平均直径的变化、直径的最小值和最大值范围、直径的变异系数。结果表明,水曲柳和落叶松细根直径<2 mm时,包含5个根序,随着根序由小到大的增加,细根直径也在增大。各根序平均直径之间,存在较大的差异。在同一根序内,细根直径范围很大,水曲柳和落叶松一级根最小直径均<0.20 mm,最大直径分别<0.50 mm(水曲柳)和<0.70 mm(落叶松)左右。2~3级根序直径最小值在0.20~0.30 mm之间,最大值≤1.0 mm。5级根直径最小值<1.0 mm,最大值超过2.0 mm。随着根序等级增加,直径变异系数增大。一级根序的直径平均变异系数<10%,2~3级根序直径平均变异系数在10%~15%左右,4~5级根序直径的平均变异系数在20%~30%之间。因此,在细根寿命与周转研究过程中,必须同时考虑直径和根序对细根的寿命估计的影响。     

中亚热带细柄阿丁枫和米槠群落细根的生产和死亡动态

采用微根管技术与挖掘法相结合的方式对福建省万木林自然保护区细柄阿丁枫和米槠天然林细根生产和死亡动态进行了为期两年多的观测,分析细根生产和死亡的季节变化、垂直分布及径级和序级分配,并估计细根的年生产量和年死亡量.结果表明:细柄阿丁枫细根年生产量和年死亡量分别为(230.1±162.8) g·m-2·a-1和(188.8±75.5)g·m-2· a-1,均略大于米槠的(214.5±185.8) g·m-2·a-1和(178.8±26.5) g·m-2·a-1,但两种森林群落的细根年生产量和年死亡量均无显著差异(P＞0.05).两森林群落细根生产均在春季达到高峰,其中米槠细根生产与月降水量呈极显著相关(P＜0.01,r=0.566);细根死亡则呈现季节性地波动,米槠细根死亡峰值主要发生于夏季和秋季,而细柄阿丁枫则出现在秋季.两森林群落细根生产和死亡皆主要集中于土壤表层0-40 cm中,而且不同径级细根生产和死亡集中于0-1 mm细根中,其中0.3-0.6 mm细根的生产和死亡在两森林群落中均最大.两森林群落一级根的生产和死亡均大于高级根.     

亚热带6种树种细根序级结构和形态特征

以福建省建瓯市万木林自然保护区内占优势的6种天然林树种(沉水樟Cinnamomum micranthum,CIM;观光木Tsoongiodendron odorum Chun,TOC;浙江桂Cinnamomum chekiangense,CIC;罗浮栲Castanopsis fabri,CAF;细柄阿丁枫Altingiagracilipes,ALG;米槠Castanopsis carlesii,CAC)为研究对象,对其1—5级细根的结构,形态特征及生物量进行了分析。结果表明:沉水樟,细柄阿丁枫和米槠细根分支比表现出在1,2级(4倍以上)明显大于其它序级(3倍左右);其余3种树种则是在3,4级的细根分支比最大,其中浙江桂达到8.65倍,其它序级则大致为3倍左右。6种树种1,2级细根数量占到总数的70%—90%。6种树种细根直径,根长,组织密度随序级升高逐渐增大,比根长减小,生物量未表现出一致的变化规律,6种树种生物量主要集中在高级根部分。方差分析表明,树种对细根分支比例有显著影响(P<0.05),浙江桂和米槠细根分支水平对分支比例有极显著影响(P<0.01),其余4种树种分支水平对分支比例有显著影响(P<0.05),树种和分支水平的交互作用对6种树种细根分支比均有极显著的影响(P<0.01);树种对细根根长,直径以及生物量均有极显著影响(P<0.01),对比根长有显著影响(P<0.05),而对组织密度的影响则不显著(P>0.05);树种和序级的交互作用对细根根长,直径以及生物量均有极显著影响(P<0.01),对组织密度有显著影响(P<0.05),对比根长影响不显著(P>0.05)。序级对6种树种细根根长,直径,比根长以及生物量的影响并未达到一致,对6种树种细根组织密度有极显著影响(P<0.01)。树种间1—4级根的比根长变异主要由组织密度引起,而5级根的比根长变异则由直径引起,同时在1级根中组织密度与直径呈现出权衡的关系。6种树种细根数量,直径,根长,比根长,组织密度以及生物量与序级之间回归分析发现它们与序级之间具有指数函数,线性函数,二次函数,三次函数或者幂函数关系。     

武夷山不同海拔黄山松细根性状季节变化

细根作为植物吸收养分和水分的主要器官,其功能性状对森林生态系统功能具有重要影响。以武夷山黄山松为研究对象,通过对不同季节(春季、夏季、秋季和冬季)和不同海拔(1200、1400、1600、1800 m和2000 m)的黄山松细根的功能性状的测定,分析其细根性状特征随海拔和季节变化的规律。结果表明:(1)黄山松细根比根长(SRL),比根面积(SRA)均随海拔先升高后降低,其均值分别为(9.32±0.35) cm/g与(276.41±68.10) cm~2/g;根组织密度(RTD)随海拔先降低后升高,均值为(0.16±0.05) g/cm~3。根平均直径(AvgDiam)随海拔增加变化不显著,均值为(0.097±0.004) mm。SRL和SRA在海拔1600 m处达到最大,而RTD和AvgDiam的最大值出现在海拔1800 m或2000 m处。(2)SRL和SRA在夏季或秋季达到最大,RTD和AvgDiam最大值则出现在冬季或春季。季节和海拔对各细根性状都有显著影响(P0.01),但季节与海拔对根性状并没有产生显著的交互作用(P0.05)。(3)SRL与SRA间的异速生长指数是1.25,显著大于1.0(P0.01);SRL与RTD存在负等速生长关系,而与AvgDiam存在显著负异速生长关系(P0.01);SRA与RTD,以及RTD与AvgDiam间均存在显著负异速生长关系(P0.01),但SRA与AvgDiam之间不存在异速生长关系。黄山松的细根性状在1600 m处倾向于增加比根长和比根面积,而在海拔1800 m或2000 m处则倾向于增加组织密度与根直径,这与黄山松细根性状从夏秋到冬春的季节变化规律相类似。同时,相对于比根面积来说,黄山松的细根在海拔1600 m处和夏秋季节更倾向于投资比根长来增加养分的吸收。     

水曲柳和兴安落叶松人工林细根分解研究

  细根分解是陆地生态系统C和养分循环的重要环节。以往的细根分解研究以埋袋法的应用为主。然而, 由于埋袋法对分解材料的干扰以及对分解环境的改变使其很难揭示原位环境下根系的自然分解过程。该研究应用微根管(Minirhizotron)技术连续3年对水曲柳(Fraxinus mandshurica)和兴安落叶松(Larix gmelinii)细根的分解过程进行原位监测, 运用Kaplan–Meier方法估算细根分解的保存率及分解期中位值(即50%细根完全分解的时间, Median root decomposition time), 做分解曲线, 用对数秩检验(Log-rank test)方法分析不同树种、直径、根序及土层对细根保存率的影响。结果表明, 伴随时间延长, 细根的保存率逐渐下降, 兴安落叶松细根保存率的下降显著快于水曲柳(p<0.001), 两树种分解期中位值分别为(82±7) d 和(317±28) d; 不同直径等级(≤0.3、0.3～0.6、＞0.6 mm)细根的分解速率不同, 两树种最长分解期中位值均出现在最细直径(≤0.3 mm)根中; 高级根分解速率显著低于一级根(p<0.05); 土壤上层分解速度快, 随着土壤深度增加细根分解速率减小。微根管技术为了解细根自然分解过程提供了有效途径。     

Relationships between fine root dynamics and nitrogen availability in Michigan northern hardwood forests

Minirhizotrons were used to observe fine root (Б mm) production, mortality, and longevity over 2 years in four sugar-maple-dominated northern hardwood forests located along a latitudinal temperature gradient. The sites also differed in N availability, allowing us to assess the relative influences of soil temperature and N availability in controlling fine root lifespans. Root production and mortality occurred throughout the year, with most production occurring in the early portion of the growing season (by mid-July). Mortality was distributed much more evenly throughout the year. For surface fine roots (0-10 cm deep), significant differences in root longevity existed among the sites, with median root lifespans for root cohorts produced in 1994 ranging from 405 to 540 days. Estimates of fine root turnover, based on the average of annual root production and mortality as a proportion of standing crop, ranged from 0.50 to 0.68 year^-1 for roots in the upper 30 cm of soil. The patterns across sites in root longevity and turnover did not follow the north to south temperature gradient, but rather corresponded to site differences in N availability, with longer average root lifespans and lower root turnover occurring where N availability was greater. This suggests the possibility that roots are maintained as long as the benefit (nutrients) they provide outweighs the C cost of keeping them alive. Root N concentrations and respiration rates (at a given temperature) were also higher at sites where N availability was greater. It is proposed that greater metabolic activity for roots in nitrogen-rich zones leads to greater carbohydrate allocation to those roots, and that a reduction in root C sink strength when local nutrients are depleted provides a mechanism through which root lifespan is regulated in these forests.     

Mechanisms involved in symptomatic myocardial bridging

Background.In patients with extensive myocardial bridging, evaluation of its clinical significance remains a challenge. Hypothesis.Sequential invasive testing is feasible and gives more insight into the pathophysiological mechanism of bridging-related angina. Methods.Twelve patients with chest pain, proven ischaemia and extensive myocardial bridging were assessed. Myocardial bridging was evaluated at rest, during intracoronary acetylcholine infusion, through coronary flow velocity and flow reserve measurements, and during dobutamine stress. Results.The mean length of the bridging segment was 24.9 mm (QCA; range 8.4-48.0 mm). Acetylcholine infusion caused severe vasospasm in two patients. In these two patients anginal symptoms were related to vasospasm and sequential testing was discontinued. In the remaining ten patients sequential testing was continued. Coronary flow reserve was normal in all patients: 3.3±0.6. In six patients reliable quantitative measurements could be performed during dobutamine stress. The mean systolic diameter of the bridging segment was 1.6±0.4 at baseline and 1.3±0.3 during dobutamine stress (mean of differences 0.38 (95% CI 0.1-0.7)). The difference between the diastolic and systolic diameter in the bridging segment increased from 0.3±0.2 mm at baseline to 1.0±0.5 mm during dobutamine infusion (mean of differences 0.6 (95% CI 0.3 to 0.9)). Conclusion.Sequential testing for bridging is feasible and may disclose endothelial dysfunction or spasm as an underlying mechanism in a minority of patients. Coronary flow reserve was preserved. Dobutamine stress unmasked further lumen reduction and may give further insight into the clinical significance of myocardial bridging in individual patients. (Neth Heart J 2008;16:10-5.)     

Fine root dynamics along a 2,000-m elevation transect in South Ecuadorian mountain rainforests

Fine root turnover plays an important role in the cycling of carbon and nutrients in ecosystems. Not much is known about fine root dynamics in tropical montane rainforests, which are characterized by steep temperature gradients over short distances. We applied the minirhizotron technique in five forest stands along an elevational transect between 1,050 and 3,060 m above sea level in a South Ecuadorian montane rainforest in order to test the influence of climate and soil parameters on fine root turnover. Turnover of roots with diameter <?2.0 mm was significantly higher in the lowermost and the uppermost stand (0.9 cm cm^?1 year^?1) than in the three mid-elevation stands (0.6 cm cm^?1 year^?1). Root turnover of finest roots (d?<?0.5 mm) was higher compared to the root cohort with d?<?2.0 mm, and exceeded 1.0 cm cm^?1 year^?1 at the lower and upper elevations of the transect. We propose that the non linear altitudinal trend of fine root turnover originates from an overlapping of a temperature effect with other environmental gradients (e.g. adverse soil conditions) in the upper part of the transect and that the fast replacement of fine roots is used as an adaptive mechanism by trees to cope with limiting environmental conditions.     

Effects of root diameter,branch order,root depth,season and warming on root longevity in an alpine meadow

Fine root is of importance in biogeochemical cycles especially in terrestrial ecosystems. The lack of understanding of the factors controlling root lifespan has made accurate prediction of carbon flow and nutrient cycling difficult. A controlled warming experiment was performed in an alpine meadow on the northern Tibetan Plateau (near Nagchu Town). We used a minirhizotron technique to measure root dynamics in situ during the growing season of 2013 and 2014 and survival analyses to assess root lifespan and the effects of root diameter, branch order, birth season, root depth and warming on root lifespan. Root diameter, branch order and root depth were all positively correlated with root lifespan. With an increase in diameter of 0.1 mm, mortality hazard ratio of roots declined by 19.3 %. An increase in one level in branch order was associated with a decrease of 43.8 % in root death ratio. Compared with roots born in May–mid-July, the mortality hazard ratio of roots born in late July–August and September–October reduced by 26.8 and 56.5 %, respectively. In warming treatments, roots tended to be thinner, less branched and deeper, and there was a higher proportion of roots born in spring compared to ambient conditions. Warming shortened the median root lifespan 44 days. However, in single warming condition, root diameter had no significant influence on root lifespan. Root diameter, branch order, root depth and season of birth were all factors affecting root lifespan in the alpine meadow; however, root branch order was dominant.     

Linking above- and belowground phenology of hybrid walnut growing along a climatic gradient in temperate agroforestry systems

Background and aims

Plant phenology is a sensitive indicator of plant response to climate change. Observations of phenological events belowground for most ecosystems are difficult to obtain and very little is known about the relationship between tree shoot and root phenology. We examined the influence of environmental factors on fine root production and mortality in relation with shoot phenology in hybrid walnut trees (Juglans sp.) growing in three different climates (oceanic, continental and Mediterranean) along a latitudinal gradient in France.

Methods

Eight rhizotrons were installed at each site for 21 months to monitor tree root dynamics. Root elongation rate (RER), root initiation quantity (RIQ) and root mortality quantity (RMQ) were recorded frequently using a scanner and time-lapse camera. Leaf phenology and stem radial growth were also measured. Fine roots were classified by topological order and 0–1 mm, 1–2 mm and 2–5 mm diameter classes and fine root longevity and risk of mortality were calculated during different periods over the year.

Results

Root growth was not synchronous with leaf phenology in any climate or either year, but was synchronous with stem growth during the late growing season. A distinct bimodal pattern of root growth was observed during the aerial growing season. Mean RER was driven by soil temperature measured in the month preceding root growth in the oceanic climate site only. However, mean RER was significantly correlated with mean soil water potential measured in the month preceding root growth at both Mediterranean (positive relationship) and oceanic (negative relationship) sites. Mean RIQ was significantly higher at both continental and Mediterranean sites compared to the oceanic site. Soil temperature was a driver of mean RIQ during the late growing season at continental and Mediterranean sites only. Mean RMQ increased significantly with decreasing soil water potential during the late aerial growing season at the continental site only. Mean root longevity at the continental site was significantly greater than for roots at the oceanic and Mediterranean sites. Roots in the 0–1 mm and 1–2 mm diameter classes lived for significantly shorter periods compared to those in the 2–5 mm diameter class. First order roots (i.e. the primary or parents roots) lived longer than lateral branch roots at the Mediterranean site only and first order roots in the 0–1 mm diameter class had 44.5% less risk of mortality than that of lateral roots for the same class of diameter.

Conclusions

We conclude that factors driving root RER were not the same between climates. Soil temperature was the best predictor of root initiation at continental and Mediterranean sites only, but drivers of root mortality remained largely undetermined.

     

Root size and soil environments determine root lifespan: evidence from an alpine meadow on the Tibetan Plateau

We used a minirhizotron system to investigate the influence of three major factors—root morphology, root depth, and season of root emergence—on root survivorship and longevity in a Kobresia humilis meadow on the Tibetan Plateau during the growing season of 2009. Root longevity was assessed by survival analysis, Kaplan–Meier analysis, and Cox proportional hazards regression. Root longevity was correlated positively with root diameter. A 17.5 % decrease in the risk of mortality was associated with a 0.1-mm increase in diameter. Roots distributed in the top 10 cm of the soil had significantly shorter longevities than roots at greater depths, with a 48 % decrease of mortality risk for each 10-cm increase in soil depth from the surface to 40 cm. Of all the factors examined, the season of root emergence had the strongest effect on root lifespan. Roots that emerged in May and June had shorter longevity than roots that emerged later in the year, and roots that emerged in September and October were more likely to survive over winter. Our findings indicated that life-history traits of roots in K. humilis meadows are highly heterogeneous, and this heterogeneity should be considered when modeling the contribution of roots to carbon and nitrogen fluxes in this type of meadow ecosystem. Moreover, temporal, spatial, and compositional variations in root longevity must be considered.     

Predicting fine root lifespan from plant functional traits in temperate trees

? Although linkages of leaf and whole-plant traits to leaf lifespan have been rigorously investigated, there is a limited understanding of similar linkages of whole-plant and fine root traits to root lifespan. In comparisons across species, do suites of traits found in leaves also exist for roots, and can these traits be used to predict root lifespan? ? We observed the fine root lifespan of 12 temperate tree species using minirhizotrons in a common garden and compared their median lifespans with fine-root and whole-plant traits. We then determined which set of combined traits would be most useful in predicting patterns of root lifespan. ? Median root lifespan ranged widely among species (95-336?d). Root diameter, calcium content, and tree wood density were positively related to root lifespan, whereas specific root length, nitrogen (N)?:?carbon (C) ratio, and plant growth rate were negatively related to root lifespan. Root diameter and plant growth rate, together (R(2) =?0.62) or in combination with root N?:?C ratio (R(2) =?0.76), were useful predictors of root lifespan across the 12 species. ? Our results highlight linkages between fine root lifespan in temperate trees and plant functional traits that may reduce uncertainty in predictions of root lifespan or turnover across species at broader spatial scales.