氮肥对水曲柳和落叶松细根寿命的影响

采用微根管技术研究了氮肥对水曲柳和落叶松细根生长、衰老和死亡的影响,探讨两树种细根寿命与氮有效性之间的相关关系.结果表明：林地施氮肥后,两树种细根数量都呈减少趋势,细根总体直径增加,分枝程度降低;氮肥使水曲柳细根存活率提高,细根中位值寿命延长105 d,而落叶松细根存活率对氮肥反应不敏感;施氮肥对细根寿命的延长效应主要体现在直径较小的一级根、表层（0～15 cm)根系和春夏季新生的细根,表明氮肥对高生理活性的细根
影响较强.     

两种生境条件下差不嘎蒿细根寿命

细根寿命对细根周转具有重要影响, 是生态系统C分配格局和养分循环研究的重要内容。该文利用微管法研究了流动沙地和固定沙地生长的差不嘎蒿(Artemisia halodendron)灌丛细根生长的动态过程, 通过Kaplan-Meier方法估计了细根存活率和中位值寿命, 并做存活曲线, 用对数轶检验比较了不同生境、不同土壤层次和不同月出生细根寿命的差异程度, 同时分析了不同样地细根寿命同土壤全氮、有机质、体积含水量和容重的相关关系。结果表明, 流动沙地和固定沙地差不嘎蒿细根具有相似的存活曲线, 但在各观测点, 流动沙地的细根累积存活率均高于固定沙地, 流动沙地细根中位值寿命(47 d)显著高于固定沙地(35 d)。细根寿命同各样地的土壤全氮和土壤容重呈显著的负相关关系, 同土壤水分呈显著的正相关关系, 但多元回归分析表明, 土壤水分是引起细根寿命变异的关键因素。土层深度对流动沙地细根寿命没有显著影响, 但两生境深层30~50 cm的细根寿命均显著高于上层(10~30 cm)。不同出生月的细根寿命显著不同, 流动沙地和固定沙地细根寿命具有相似的季节变化规律, 春季(4、5月)细根的寿命最长(71 d), 秋季(8、9月)次之(61 d), 夏季(6、7月)最短(39 d)。     

常绿阔叶林中栲树展叶期叶片的虫食格局

叶片的虫食主要发生在展叶期。虽然展叶期短暂, 它却可能是了解植食性昆虫和植物之间相互关系的关键。为了解栲树(Castanopsis fargesii)在展叶期叶片的虫食格局和展叶方式对叶片虫食的影响, 研究了栲树展叶期内的虫食动态变化, 结果表明: 栲树展叶的两个阶段(折叠期和打开期), 虫食叶片的格局存在较大的差异, 打开阶段的日虫食频度和日虫食率显著高于折叠阶段(F_{1, 32}=8.97, p=0.005 4; F_{1, 32}=12.38, p=0.001 4), 展叶期最终叶片虫食频度为50.72%, 叶片虫食率为8.25%。折叠期叶片主要受到低强度的虫食, 打开期叶片虫食则以较大强度的虫食为主。展叶期叶片的虫食主要发生在夜间, 夜间虫食率显著高于日间虫食率(t=2.51, p=0.017), 变化趋势与日虫食率一致。栲树叶片在展叶的两个阶段可能采用了不同的防御对策。     

九种不同材性的温带树种叶水力性状及其权衡关系

不同材性树种的解剖、叶脉分布等结构性状差异会影响树木的水分运输效率和水分利用策略, 进而限制树木的生存、生长和分布。然而, 材性对叶导水率、水力脆弱性及其潜在的权衡关系的影响尚不清楚。该研究选择东北温带森林中不同材性的9种树种(散孔材: 山杨(Populus davidiana)、紫椴(Tilia amurensis)、白桦(Betula platyphylla); 环孔材: 蒙古栎(Quercus mongolica)、水曲柳(Fraxinus mandshurica)、胡桃楸(Juglans mandshurica); 无孔材: 红皮云杉(Picea koraiensis)、樟子松(Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica)、红松(Pinus koraiensis), 测量其基于叶面积和叶质量的叶导水率(K_area和K_mass)、水力脆弱性(P₅₀)、膨压丧失点水势(TLP)及叶结构性状, 以比较不同材性树种叶水力性状的差异, 并探索叶水力效率与安全的权衡关系。结果表明: 3种材性树种的K_area、K_mass和P₅₀均差异显著(p < 0.05)。无孔材树种的K_area和K_mass最低, 而散孔材和环孔材树种差异不显著; 环孔材树种P₅₀最高, 而散孔材和无孔材树种差异不显著。K_area和K_mass均与P₅₀显著负相关(p < 0.05), 但散孔材、环孔材和无孔材树种的相关关系分别呈线性、幂函数和指数函数关系。这表明叶水力效率与安全之间存在一定的权衡关系, 但该关系受树木材性的影响。K_mass与TLP显著负相关(p < 0.01), 其中散孔材和环孔材树种呈线性负相关, 无孔材树种呈负指数函数关系; P₅₀随TLP的增加而增加, 这表明树木在面临水分胁迫时, 其质外体和共质体抗旱阻力共同协调保护叶片活细胞, 防止其水分状况到达临界阈值。K_mass与叶干物质含量、叶密度、比叶重均显著负相关, 而P₅₀与之显著正相关(p < 0.01, P₅₀与比叶重的关系除外), 表明树木叶水力特性的变化受相同叶结构特性驱动, 树木增加对水力失调的容忍需要在叶水力系统构建上增加碳投资。     

改变凋落物输入对杉木人工林土壤呼吸的短期影响

从2007年1月至12月, 在长沙天际岭国家森林公园, 通过改变杉木林凋落物输入, 研究杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)人工林群落去除凋落物、加倍凋落物土壤呼吸速率及5 cm土壤温、湿度的季节变化。结果表明: 去除和加倍凋落物对土壤温度和湿度产生的差异不显著(p>0.05), 对土壤呼吸全年产生的差异接近显著(Marginal significant)(p=0.058)。按植物生长期分别分析, 去除和加倍凋落物对土壤呼吸产生的差异, 在生长旺盛期差异显著(p=0.003), 在生长非旺盛期差异性不显著(p=0.098)。去除凋落物年均土壤呼吸速率为159.2 mg CO₂·m^-2·h^-1, 比对照处理土壤呼吸速率(180.9 mg CO₂·m^-2·h^-1)低15.0%, 加倍凋落物的土壤呼吸为216.8 mg CO₂·m^-2·h^-1, 比对照处理高17.0%。去除和加倍凋落物土壤呼吸季节动态趋势与5 cm深度土壤温度相似, 它们之间呈显著指数相关, 模拟方程分别为: y=27.33e^{0.087 2t}(R²=0.853, p＜0.001), y=37.25e^{0.088 8t}(R²=0.896, p＜0.001)。去除和加倍凋落物的Q₁₀值分别为2.39和2.43, 均比对照2.26大。去除和加倍凋落物土壤呼吸与土壤湿度之间关系不显著(p>0.05)。这一结果使我们能够在较短时间内观察到改变凋落物输入对土壤呼吸的影响, 证明凋落物是影响土壤CO₂通量的重要因子之一。     

去叶对水曲柳和落叶松苗木当年生长及细根动态的影响

叶片被取食会导致树木生长发育和生理代谢发生显著的变化。目前对细根动态如何对叶片损失做出响应的了解仍然有限。以生物量分配和高生长策略不同的水曲柳(Fraxinus mandschurica)和落叶松(Larix gmelinii)苗木为研究对象, 进行了不同强度的人为去叶处理(叶面积去除0% (对照)、40%和80%), 采用微根管技术对细根(直径≤2 mm)生产和死亡的季节动态进行了定量观测, 同期测定了地上部分(苗高和地径)的生长。结果表明: 1)去叶降低了两树种苗高(统计上均不显著)和地径的生长, 但是对苗高生长的影响小于地径。随着去叶强度的提高, 苗木地上生长受到的影响加大, 生长季末期水曲柳苗高比对照降低3.3%-12.1%, 地径降低5.7%-23.1%; 而落叶松苗高和地径降低相对较少(< 12%)。2)去叶显著地减少了水曲柳和落叶松细根现存量(p< 0.001), 其相对增长量((去叶后现存量高峰-去叶当日现存量)/去叶当日现存量)随着去叶强度的加大而降低。3)与对照相比, 去叶后两树种细根生产量显著减少(p< 0.05), 而细根死亡量在不同处理间没有显著差异。综合来看, 去叶对水曲柳地上部分(特别是地径)生长影响较大, 而对落叶松地下部分(主要是新根)生长影响较大。研究结果为理解冠层碳供应对根系动态影响的种间差异及其机制提供了必要的理论依据。     

三峡库区岸边共存松栎树种水分利用策略比较

对三峡库区木鱼岛上马尾松(Pinus massoniana)、槲栎(Quercus aliena)和栓皮栎(Q. variabilis)组成的针阔混交林成林和幼林的光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、清晨和中午水势(ψ_pd和ψ_md)以及叶片稳定碳同位素(δ¹³C)进行了测定。实验结果表明:针叶树马尾松P_n、G_s均低于阔叶树槲栎和栓皮栎(差异达到极显著水平,p<0.001),但马尾松内在水分利用效率(WUE_i, P_n/G_s)却高于槲栎(p=0.003)和栓皮栎(p=0.025)。反映了裸子植物和被子植物木质部不同的水力特性。针阔叶树幼树的P_n和G_s高于成年树,但WUE_i和δ¹³C却低于成年树。表明水分利用效率与水分在树体内传输的距离有关。幼树属于挥霍型水分利用策略,成年树属保守型水分利用策略。三峡大坝的建设所造成的生态环境的改变可能会对三峡库区针阔混交林的演替产生一定的影响,但这需要长期的研究。     

干旱胁迫下水曲柳苗木细根线粒体的形态及活性变化

根系依赖根细胞内线粒体呼吸代谢产生的能量, 不断从土壤中获取养分。在胁迫条件下, 线粒体的结构和功能会发生一定的变化, 从而影响根系的功能。土壤干旱是最容易引起苗木细根衰老死亡的非生物胁迫因子之一。为了更好地认识干旱胁迫下细根线粒体的结构和功能变化, 对土壤干旱胁迫下水曲柳(Fraxinus mandshurica)不同颜色细根皮层薄壁细胞内线粒体的超微结构(线粒体数量、形态)、线粒体的呼吸功能、线粒体膜脂质氧化(膜透性变化、过氧化氢含量等)情况进行了研究。结果表明: (1)干旱胁迫下, 水曲柳白色及黄色根皮层薄壁细胞内线粒体形状、结构及分布数量与对照相似, 无显著差异。干旱胁迫下产生的褐色根皮层薄壁细胞线粒体数量减少, 分布密度也变小。线粒体内、外膜先后发生不同程度的解体, 最后消失。(2)干旱胁迫显著干扰了线粒体膜的正常呼吸耦联作用, 细根线粒体呼吸控制率(RCR)与磷氧比(无机磷酸/分子氧, P/O)均显著低于对照(p < 0.05)。随着细根颜色加深, 线粒体RCR和P/O值逐渐下降, 白色根﹥黄色根﹥褐色根。褐色根线粒体RCR值最低, 接近极值1。说明褐色根线粒体结构完整性最差, 能量转化效率最低。(3)干旱胁迫下, 不同颜色细根线粒体内的H₂O₂含量、线粒体膜透性、膜脂氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)含量均显著高于对照(p < 0.05)。且随着细根颜色加深, 各个值增加明显。分析可能是由于干旱胁迫导致线粒体内H₂O₂含量升高, 线粒体膜脂质过氧化(MDA含量升高), 膜结构受到破坏(膜透性增加) (电镜下可见部分线粒体内膜电子密度下降及外膜解体)。线粒体膜结构完整性的破坏, 直接影响了线粒体呼吸代谢反应, 使线粒体呼吸功能下降。     

Spatial variation and controlling factors of temperature sensitivity of soil respiration in forest ecosystems across China

土壤呼吸的温度敏感性(Q₁₀)是陆地碳循环与气候系统间相互作用的关键参数。尽管已有大量关于不同类型森林Q₁₀季节和年际变化规律的研究, 但是对Q₁₀在区域尺度的空间变异特征及其影响因素仍认识不足, 已有结果缺乏一致结论。该研究通过整合已发表论文, 构建了中国森林生态系统年尺度Q₁₀数据集, 共包含399条记录、5种森林类型(落叶阔叶林(DBF)、落叶针叶林(DNF)、常绿阔叶林(EBF)、常绿针叶林(ENF)、混交林(MF))。分析了不同森林类型Q₁₀的空间变异特征及其与地理、气候和土壤因素的关系。结果显示, 1) Q₁₀介于1.09到6.24之间, 平均值(±标准误差)为2.37 (± 0.04), 且在不同森林类型之间无显著差异; 2)当考虑所有森林类型时, Q₁₀随纬度、海拔、土壤有机碳含量(SOC)和土壤全氮含量(TN)的增加而增大, 随经度、年平均气温(MAT)、平均年降水量(MAP)的增加而减小。气候(MAT、MAP)和土壤(SOC、TN)因素间存在相互作用, 共同解释了33%的Q₁₀空间变异, 其中MAT和SOC是Q₁₀空间变异的主要驱动因素; 3)不同类型森林Q₁₀对气候和土壤因素的响应存在差异。在DNF中Q₁₀随MAP的增加而减小, 而其他类型森林中Q₁₀与MAP无显著相关性; 在EBF、DBF、ENF中Q₁₀随TN的增加而增大, 但Q₁₀对TN的敏感性在EBF中最高, 在ENF中最低。这些结果表明, 尽管Q₁₀有一定的集中分布趋势, 但仍有较大范围的空间变异, 在进行碳收支估算时应注意尺度问题。Q₁₀的主要驱动因素和Q₁₀对环境因素的响应随森林类型而变化, 在气候变化情景下, 不同森林类型间Q₁₀可能发生分异。因此, 未来的碳循环-气候模型还应考虑不同类型森林碳循环关键参数对气候变化的响应差异。     

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。     

施肥对台湾桤木-扁穗牛鞭草复合模式下桤木细根形态特征、生物量及组织碳氮含量的影响

细根具有良好的可塑性, 不同根序等级的细根会表现不同的策略来适应土壤资源有效性的改变, 了解各级细根对土壤资源有效性的可塑性反应对认识细根的养分和水分吸收规律、预测碳(C)在地下的分配特点具有重要意义。该文以四川省丹陵县台湾桤木(Alnus formosana)-扁穗牛鞭草(Hemarthria compressa)复合模式为研究对象, 采用施肥处理, 应用土柱法采样, 探讨了施肥对台湾桤木-扁穗牛鞭草模式土壤表层(0-10 cm)和亚表层(10-20 cm)台湾桤木1-5级细根的生物量、形态特征(直径、比根长)、全C和全氮(N)含量的影响。结果表明: (1)台湾桤木1-5级细根直径随根序的增大而增加, 施肥降低土壤表层台湾桤木各级细根直径而增加了土壤亚表层台湾桤木各级细根直径; 台湾桤木1-5级细根比根长则随根序的增加而减小, 施肥增加了台湾桤木各级细根的比根长, 且施肥极显著增加了表层和亚表层台湾桤木前三级细根的比根长(p < 0.01)。(2)台湾桤木1-5级细根生物量均随土层深度的增加而减小, 施肥减少了台湾桤木各个土层各级细根生物量, 且显著降低了台湾桤木前三级细根生物量占总生物量的比例(p < 0.05), 而增加了4、5级细根生物量。(3)台湾桤木3级细根全C最大, 1级根最小, 且土壤表层台湾桤木各级细根全C含量大于亚表层; 施肥降低了台湾桤木各级细根全C含量, 但影响并不显著(p > 0.05)。台湾桤木细根全N含量随根序的增加而降低, 且土壤表层1-5级细根全N含量均高于亚表层; 施肥极显著(p < 0.01)增加了土壤表层1级细根及亚表层1、2级细根的全N含量, 而对于3-5级细根全N含量则影响不显著(p > 0.05)。以上结果显示, 当土壤资源有效性变化时, 各级根序细根会作出不同的可塑性反应, 且施肥对各级细根的影响主要表现在低级根上。     

新围垦盐土地三种人工林群落细根生物量及其影响因素分析

细根是植物吸收水分和养分的主要器官, 细根生物量对盐土地人工绿化植被生态修复具有重要意义。以3种人工林为研究对象, 分别对其细根生物量、垂直分布及各形态指标的变化特征进行分析。结果表明, 响叶杨(Populus adenopoda)林、普陀樟(Cinnamomum japonicum)林和落羽杉(Taxodium distichum)林0-40 cm土层的平均细根生物量分别为1 699.75、498.50和520.06 g·m^-2。3种林分在0-10 cm土层中的细根生物量占整个细根生物量的50%以上, 随着土层的增加细根生物量呈现指数减少(P<0.05)。在生长季节内细根生物量呈双峰变化, 不同月份间存在显著差异。活细根生物量和比根长均表现为普陀樟林<落羽杉林<响叶杨林。将细根各项指标与3种环境因子进行相关分析, 发现土壤含水量与活细根生物量及根长密度呈显著正相关(P<0.01)。CCA分析表明, 土壤含盐量是影响活细根各项指标垂直变化的主要限制因子, 而高盐可能对细根生物量及分布有不利影响。     

Fine-root morphological and growth traits in a Turkey-oak stand in relation to seasonal changes in soil moisture in the Southern Apennines, Italy

We investigated the effects of seasonal changes in soil moisture on the morphological and growth traits of fine roots (<2?mm in diameter) in a mature Turkey-oak stand (Quercus cerris L.) in the Southern Apennines of Italy. Root samples (diameter:?<0.5, 0.5?C1.0, 1.0?C1.5, and 1.5?C2.0?mm) were collected with the Auger method. Mean annual fine-root mass and length on site was 443?g?m^?2 (oak fine roots 321?g?m^?2; other species 122?g?m^?2) and 3.18?km?m^?2 (oak fine roots 1.14?km?m^?2; other species 2.04?km?m^?2), respectively. Mean specific root length was 8.3?m?g^?1. All fine-root traits displayed a complex pattern that was significantly related to season. In the four diameter classes, both fine-root biomass and length peaked in summer when soil water content was the lowest and air temperature the highest of the season. Moreover, both fine-root biomass and length were inversely related with soil moisture (p?<?0.001). The finest roots (<0.5?mm in diameter) constituted an important fraction of total fine-root length (79?%), but only 21?% of biomass. Only in this root class, consequent to change in mean diameter, specific root length peaked when soil water content was lowest showing an inverse relationship (p?<?0.001). Furthermore, fine-root production and turnover decreased with increasing root diameter. These results suggest that changes in root length per unit mass, and pulses in root growth to exploit transient periods of low soil water content may enable trees to increase nutrient and water uptake under seasonal drought conditions.     

基于土芯法的亚热带常绿阔叶林细根空间变异与取样数量估计

树木细根具有高度空间异质性,确定合理的细根取样策略是林木细根研究的前提。通过在福建省三明米槠天然常绿阔叶林内随机钻取96个土芯,分析细根生物量和形态特征的空间变异特征,并估计各指标所需的取样数量。结果表明:(1)随着径级增加,细根各指标变异系数增大,相应的取样数量增加;(2)随着土壤深度增加,单位面积细根生物量变异程度和相应的取样数量均增加。在置信水平为95%、精度为80%的条件下,直径为0-1 mm和1-2 mm的细根,分别采集16和42个样品可以满足测定单位面积细根生物量,采集17和31个样品可以满足测定单位面积细根长度,采集25和33个样品可以满足测定单位面积细根表面积。Shapiro-Wilk检验表明,除表层土壤0-1 mm细根单位面积生物量符合正态分布外,其余细根生物量和形态指标数据均不符合正态分布。研究结果为亚热带常绿阔叶林细根的合理取样提供了科学依据。     

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

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 old-growth broad-leaved forest stands, we tested the hypotheses that (i) the productivity and recovery rate (regrowth per standing biomass) of the fine-root 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.     

林木细根寿命及其影响因子研究进展

 细根周转要消耗大量的C,它影响森林生态系统C分配格局与过程和养分循环,对生态系统生产力具有重要意义。细根的周转取决于细根的寿命,细根寿命越短,周转越快,根系对C的消耗也越多。大量研究表明,细根的寿命与地上部分C向根系供应的多少有密切关系,同时也与细根直径大小、土壤中N和水分的有效性、土壤温度以及根际周围的土壤动物和微生物的活动有关。本文综述了国外近年来在该领域里的研究进展,特别是对控制细根寿命的机理和主要影响因子进行了评述,目的是引起国内研究者的关注,促进我国根系生态学的研究与发展。     

Fine root chemistry and decomposition in model communities of north-temperate tree species show little response to elevated atmospheric CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and varying soil resource availability

Rising atmospheric [CO₂] has the potential to alter soil carbon (C) cycling by increasing the content of recalcitrant constituents in plant litter, thereby decreasing rates of decomposition. Because fine root turnover constitutes a large fraction of annual NPP, changes in fine root decomposition are especially important. These responses will likely be affected by soil resource availability and the life history characteristics of the dominant tree species. We evaluated the effects of elevated atmospheric [CO₂] and soil resource availability on the production and chemistry, mycorrhizal colonization, and decomposition of fine roots in an early- and late-successional tree species that are economically and ecologically important in north temperate forests. Open-top chambers were used to expose young trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum) trees to ambient (36 Pa) and elevated (56 Pa) atmospheric CO₂. Soil resource availability was composed of two treatments that bracketed the range found in the Upper Lake States, USA. After 2.5 years of growth, sugar maple had greater fine root standing crop due to relatively greater allocation to fine roots (30% of total root biomass) relative to aspen (7% total root biomass). Relative to the low soil resources treatment, aspen fine root biomass increased 76% with increased soil resource availability, but only under elevated [CO₂]. Sugar maple fine root biomass increased 26% with increased soil resource availability (relative to the low soil resources treatment), and showed little response to elevated [CO₂]. Concentrations of N and soluble phenolics, and C/N ratio in roots were similar for the two species, but aspen had slightly higher lignin and lower condensed tannins contents compared to sugar maple. As predicted by source-sink models of carbon allocation, pooled constituents (C/N ratio, soluble phenolics) increased in response to increased relative carbon availability (elevated [CO₂]/low soil resource availability), however, biosynthetically distinct compounds (lignin, starch, condensed tannins) did not always respond as predicted. We found that mycorrhizal colonization of fine roots was not strongly affected by atmospheric [CO₂] or soil resource availability, as indicated by root ergosterol contents. Overall, absolute changes in root chemical composition in response to increases in C and soil resource availability were small and had no effect on soil fungal biomass or specific rates of fine root decomposition. We conclude that root contributions to soil carbon cycling will mainly be influenced by fine root production and turnover responses to rising atmospheric [CO₂], rather than changes in substrate chemistry.     

Root sampling methods - applications and limitations of the minirhizotron technique

Applications and limitations of the minirhizotron technique (non-destructive) in relation to two frequently used destructive methods (soil coreing and ingrowth cores) is discussed. Sequential coreing provides data on standing crop but it is difficult to obtain data on root biomass production. Ingrowth cores can provide a quick estimate of relative fine-root growth when root growth is rapid. One limitation of the ingrowth core is that no information on the time of ingrowth and mortality is obtained.The minirhizotron method, in contrast to the destructive methods permits simultaneous calculation of fine-root length production and mortality and turnover. The same fine-root segment in the same soil space can be monitored for its life time, and stored in a database for processing. The methodological difficulties of separating excavated fine roots into living and dead vitality classes are avoided, since it is possible to judge directly the successive ageing of individual roots from the images. It is concluded that the minirhizotron technique is capable of quantifying root dynamics (root-length production, mortality and longevity) and fine-root decomposition. Additionally, by combining soil core data (biomass, root length and nutrient content) and minirhizotron data (length production and mortality), biomass production and nutrient input into the soil via root mortality and decomposition can be estimated.