Seasonal dynamics of fine root biomass, root length density, specific root length, and soil resource availability in a Larix gmelinii plantation |
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Authors: | Cheng Yunhuan Han Youzhi Wang Qingcheng and Wang Zhengquan |
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Institution: | (1) School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China;(2) School of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China |
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Abstract: | Fine root turnover is a major pathway for carbon and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems and is most likely sensitive
to many global change factors. Despite the importance of fine root turnover in plant C allocation and nutrient cycling dynamics
and the tremendous research efforts in the past, our understanding of it remains limited. This is because the dynamics processes
associated with soil resources availability are still poorly understood. Soil moisture, temperature, and available nitrogen
are the most important soil characteristics that impact fine root growth and mortality at both the individual root branch
and at the ecosystem level. In temperate forest ecosystems, seasonal changes of soil resource availability will alter the
pattern of carbon allocation to belowground. Therefore, fine root biomass, root length density (RLD) and specific root length
(SRL) vary during the growing season. Studying seasonal changes of fine root biomass, RLD, and SRL associated with soil resource
availability will help us understand the mechanistic controls of carbon to fine root longevity and turnover. The objective
of this study was to understand whether seasonal variations of fine root biomass, RLD and SRL were associated with soil resource
availability, such as moisture, temperature, and nitrogen, and to understand how these soil components impact fine root dynamics
in Larix gmelinii plantation. We used a soil coring method to obtain fine root samples (⩽2 mm in diameter) every month from May to October
in 2002 from a 17-year-old L. gmelinii plantation in Maoershan Experiment Station, Northeast Forestry University, China. Seventy-two soil cores (inside diameter
60 mm; depth intervals: 0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, 20–30 cm) were sampled randomly from three replicates 25 m × 30 m plots to estimate
fine root biomass (live and dead), and calculate RLD and SRL. Soil moisture, temperature, and nitrogen (ammonia and nitrates)
at three depth intervals were also analyzed in these plots. Results showed that the average standing fine root biomass (live
and dead) was 189.1 g·m−2·a−1, 50% (95.4 g·m−2·a−1) in the surface soil layer (0–10 cm), 33% (61.5 g·m−2·a−1), 17% (32.2 g·m−2·a−1) in the middle (10–20 cm) and deep layer (20–30cm), respectively. Live and dead fine root biomass was the highest from May
to July and in September, but lower in August and October. The live fine root biomass decreased and dead biomass increased
during the growing season. Mean RLD (7,411.56 m·m−3·a−1) and SRL (10.83 m·g−1·a−1) in the surface layer were higher than RLD (1 474.68 m·m−3·a−1) and SRL (8.56 m·g−1·a−1) in the deep soil layer. RLD and SRL in May were the highest (10 621.45 m·m−3 and 14.83m·g−1) compared with those in the other months, and RLD was the lowest in September (2 198.20 m·m−3) and SRL in October (3.77 m·g−1). Seasonal dynamics of fine root biomass, RLD, and SRL showed a close relationship with changes in soil moisture, temperature,
and nitrogen availability. To a lesser extent, the temperature could be determined by regression analysis. Fine roots in the
upper soil layer have a function of absorbing moisture and nutrients, while the main function of deeper soil may be moisture
uptake rather than nutrient acquisition. Therefore, carbon allocation to roots in the upper soil layer and deeper soil layer
was different. Multiple regression analysis showed that variation in soil resource availability could explain 71–73% of the
seasonal variation of RLD and SRL and 58% of the variation in fine root biomass. These results suggested a greater metabolic
activity of fine roots living in soil with higher resource availability, which resulted in an increased allocation of carbohydrate
to these roots, but a lower allocation of carbohydrate to those in soil with lower resource availability.
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Translated from Acta Phytoecologica Sinica, 2005, 29(3): 403–410 译自: 植物生态学报, 2005, 29(3): 403–410] |
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Keywords: | Larix gmelinii fine root biomass root length density specific root length soil resource availability seasonal dynamics |
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