Fine-root biomass and fluxes of soil carbon in young stands of paper birch and trembling aspen as affected by elevated atmospheric CO2 and tropospheric O3

Rising atmospheric CO₂ may stimulate future forest productivity, possibly increasing carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems, but how tropospheric ozone will modify this response is unknown. Because of the importance of fine roots to the belowground C cycle, we monitored fine-root biomass and associated C fluxes in regenerating stands of trembling aspen, and mixed stands of trembling aspen and paper birch at FACTS-II, the Aspen FACE project in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Free-air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) was used to elevate concentrations of CO₂ (average enrichment concentration 535 µl l^-1) and O₃ (53 nl l^-1) in developing forest stands in 1998 and 1999. Soil respiration, soil pCO₂, and dissolved organic carbon in soil solution (DOC) were monitored biweekly. Soil respiration was measured with a portable infrared gas analyzer. Soil pCO₂ and DOC samples were collected from soil gas wells and tension lysimeters, respectively, at depths of 15, 30, and 125 cm. Fine-root biomass averaged 263 g m^-2 in control plots and increased 96% under elevated CO₂. The increased root biomass was accompanied by a 39% increase in soil respiration and a 27% increase in soil pCO₂. Both soil respiration and pCO₂ exhibited a strong seasonal signal, which was positively correlated with soil temperature. DOC concentrations in soil solution averaged ~12 mg l^-1 in surface horizons, declined with depth, and were little affected by the treatments. A simplified belowground C budget for the site indicated that native soil organic matter still dominated the system, and that soil respiration was by far the largest flux. Ozone decreased the above responses to elevated CO₂, but effects were rarely statistically significant. We conclude that regenerating stands of northern hardwoods have the potential for substantially greater C input to soil due to greater fine-root production under elevated CO₂. Greater fine-root biomass will be accompanied by greater soil C efflux as soil respiration, but leaching losses of C will probably be unaffected.     

CO2 enrichment increases carbon and nitrogen input from fine roots in a deciduous forest

* Greater fine-root production under elevated [CO2] may increase the input of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) to the soil profile because fine root populations turn over quickly in forested ecosystems. * Here, the effect of elevated [CO)] was assessed on root biomass and N inputs at several soil depths by combining a long-term minirhizotron dataset with continuous, root-specific measurements of root mass and [N]. The experiment was conducted in a CO(2)-enriched sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) plantation. * CO2) enrichment had no effect on root tissue density or [N] within a given diameter class. Root biomass production and standing crop were doubled under elevated [CO2]. Though fine-root turnover declined under elevated [CO2], fine-root mortality was also nearly doubled under CO2 enrichment. Over 9 yr, root mortality resulted in 681 g m(-2) of extra C and 9 g m(-2) of extra N input to the soil system under elevated [CO2]. At least half of these inputs were below 30 cm soil depth. * Increased C and N input to the soil under CO2 enrichment, especially below 30 cm depth, might alter soil C storage and N mineralization. Future research should focus on quantifying root decomposition dynamics and C and N mineralization deeper in the soil.     

Elevated CO2, rhizosphere processes,and soil organic matter decomposition

The rhizosphere is one of the key fine-scale components of C cycles. This study was undertaken to improve understanding of the potential effects of atmospheric CO2 increase on rhizosphere processes. Using C isotope techniques, we found that elevated atmospheric CO2 significantly increased wheat plant growth, dry mass accumulation, rhizosphere respiration, and soluble C concentrations in the rhizosphere. When plants were grown under elevated CO2 concentration, soluble C concentration in the rhizosphere increased by approximately 60%. The degree of elevated CO2 enhancement on rhizosphere respiration was much higher than on root biomass. Averaged between the two nitrogen treatments and compared with the ambient CO2 treatment, wheat rhizosphere respiration rate increased 60% and root biomass only increased 26% under the elevated CO2 treatment. These results indicated that elevated atmospheric CO2 in a wheat-soil system significantly increased substrate input to the rhizosphere due to both increased root growth and increased root activities per unit of roots. Nitrogen treatments changed the effect of elevated CO2 on soil organic matter decomposition. Elevated CO2 increased soil organic matter decomposition (22%) in the nitrogen-added treatment but decreased soil organic matter decomposition (18%) without nitrogen addition. Soil nitrogen status was therefore found to be important in determining the directions of the effect of elevated CO2 on soil organic matter decomposition.     

Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 and/or O3 on intra- and interspecific competitive ability of aspen

Three model communities of trembling aspen (monoculture, and mixed with either paper birch or sugar maple) were grown for seven years in elevated atmospheric CO(2) and O(3) using Free Air CO(2) Enrichment (FACE) technology. We utilized trends in species' importance, calculated as an index of volume growth and survival, as indications of shifting community composition. For the pure aspen communities, different clones emerged as having the highest change in relative importance values depending on the pollutant exposure. In the control and elevated CO(2) treatments, clone 42E was rapidly becoming the most successful clone while under elevated O(3), clone 8 L emerged as the dominant clone. In fact, growth of clone 8 L was greater in the elevated O(3) treatment compared to controls. For the mixed aspen-birch community, importance of aspen and birch changed by - 16 % and + 62 %, respectively, in the controls. In the treatments, however, importance of aspen and birch changed by - 27 % and + 87 %, respectively, in elevated O(3), and by - 10 % and + 45 %, respectively, in elevated CO(2). Thus, the presence of elevated O(3) hastened conversion of stands to paper birch, whereas the presence of elevated CO(2) delayed it. Relative importance of aspen and maple changed by - 2 % and + 3 %, respectively, after seven years in the control treatments. But in elevated O(3), relative importance of aspen and maple changed by - 2 % and + 5 %, respectively, and in elevated CO(2) by + 9 and - 20 %, respectively. Thus, elevated O(3) slightly increases the rate of conversion of aspen stands to sugar maple, but maple is placed at a competitive disadvantage to aspen under elevated CO(2).     

Effects of elevated carbon dioxide and ozone on the phytochemistry of aspen and performance of an herbivore

The purpose of this study was to assess the independent and interactive effects of CO(2), O(3), and plant genotype on the foliar quality of a deciduous tree and the performance of a herbivorous insect. Two trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michaux) genotypes differing in response to CO(2) and O(3) were grown at the Aspen FACE (Free Air CO(2) Enrichment) site located in northern Wisconsin, USA. Trees were exposed to one of four atmospheric treatments: ambient air (control), elevated carbon dioxide (+CO(2); 560 microl/l), elevated ozone (+O(3); ambient x1.5), and elevated CO(2)+O(3). We measured the effects of CO(2) and O(3) on aspen phytochemistry and on performance of forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria Hübner) larvae. CO(2) and O(3) treatments influenced foliar quality for both genotypes, with the most notable effects being that elevated CO(2) reduced nitrogen and increased tremulacin levels, whereas elevated O(3) increased early season nitrogen and reduced tremulacin levels, relative to controls. With respect to insects, the +CO(2) treatment had little or no effect on larval performance. Larval performance improved in the +O(3) treatment, but this response was negated by the addition of elevated CO(2) (i.e., +CO(2)+O(3) treatment). We conclude that tent caterpillars will have the greatest impact on aspen under current CO(2) and high O(3) levels, due to increases in insect performance and decreases in tree growth, whereas tent caterpillars will have the least impact on aspen under high CO(2) and low O(3) levels, due to moderate changes in insect performance and increases in tree growth.     

Contrasting fine-root production,survival and soil CO2 efflux in pine and poplar plantations

Tree root activity, including fine-root production, turnover and metabolic activity are significant components of forest productivity and nutrient cycling. Differences in root activity among forest types are not well known. A 3-year study was undertaken in red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) and hybrid poplar (Populus tristis X P. balsamifera cv `Tristis no. 1') plantations to compare belowground root dynamics. We measured fine-root production, mortality and standing crop, as well as soil CO₂ efflux. Pine fine-root production was only 2.9% of that of poplar during three years; 85 pine roots were observed in minirhizotron tubes compared with 4088 poplar roots. Live-root density oscillated seasonally for both species with late winter minimum and autumn maximum. Poplar reached constant maximum live-root length within the first growing season, but pine continued to increase observed fine-root length for three growing seasons. Within the first 100 days following initial appearance, 22% of the pine roots disappeared and 38% of the poplar roots disappeared. Median fine-root longevity of pine was 291 days compared with 149 days for poplar roots. Fine-root longevity increased with depth in the soil, and was greater for roots with initial diameter >0.5 mm. The probability of poplar root death from late February to May was more than three times that in any other season, regardless of root age. Despite the greater poplar root production and live-root length, fine-root biomass and soil CO₂ efflux was greater in pine. Greater metabolic activity in the pine stand may be due to greater fine-root biomass or greater heterotrophic respiration. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

CO2浓度增加和不同氮肥水平对冬小麦根系呼吸及生物量的影响

 依托FACE(Free-air CO₂ enrichment)研究平台, 利用特制分根集气生长箱, 采用静态箱-GC(Gas chromatography)法, 连续两年研究 了大气CO₂浓度升高和不同氮肥水平对冬小麦拔节期、孕穗抽穗期和灌浆末期的根系呼吸及生物量的影响。两季结果表明, CO₂浓度升高和高氮 肥量均不同程度地增加了3个阶段的地上部和地下部的生物量, 这有利于增加根茬的还田量; CO₂浓度升高对冬小麦不同生长阶段的根系呼吸影 响不同, 在拔节期影响较小;孕穗抽穗期显著增加了根系呼吸, 2004~2005季分别增加33.8%(148.1 mg N&;#8226;kg^-1 干土, HN)和43.9%(88.9 mg N&;#8226;kg^-1 干土, LN), 2005~2006季分别为23.8%(HN)和28.9%(LN); 而灌浆末期显著降低了根系呼吸, 2004~2005季分别降低31.4%(HN)和23.3% (LN), 2005~2006季分别为25.1%(HN)和18.5%(LN); 高施氮量比低施氮量促进了根系呼吸; 随着作物生长根系呼吸与地下生物量呈显著线性负相 关, 高CO₂环境中的R²变小,表明随着作物生长发育高CO₂浓度降低了作物根系呼吸与地下部生物量积累间的相关性.     

三工河流域两种琵琶柴群落细根生物量、分解与周转

细根对植物群落功能的发挥和土壤碳库及全球碳循环具有重要意义。利用连续土钻取样法和分解袋法,于2010年5—10月整个生长季节内,对三工河流域两处长势不同的琵琶柴群落的细根(φ2mm)生物量、分解与周转规律及其与土壤环境的关系进行研究。结果表明,群落1和群落2土壤容重、土壤含水量、pH和电导率等土壤因子差异显著。两群落的细根生物量表现出相同的季节和垂直变化趋势,即在5—8月逐渐增加,8月达到最大值,9—10月份逐渐下降。平均月细根生物量分别为51.55g/m2和133.93 g/m2。群落1的活细根和死细根分别占总细根生物量的69.68%和30.32%,群落2活细根和死细根分别占总细根生物量的72.61%和27.39%。在垂直变化上,随土壤深度增加细根生物量先增加后逐渐降低,其中10—20cm土壤层次细根生物量比例最大,群落1和群落2分别占46.48%和29.15%。群落1和群落2的细根年分解率分别为34.82%、42.91%。达到半分解和95%分解时,群落1需要630 d和2933 d,群落2需要467 d和2238 d。群落1和群落2的细根净生产力分别为50.67 g/m2和178.15 g/m2,细根年周转率分别为1.41次、1.69次。逐步回归分析结果显示细根动态受土壤水分、pH值、电导度等土壤因子的显著影响,琵琶柴细根具有相对较低的分解速率和较高的周转速率。     

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.     

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。     

Soil pCO2, soil respiration,and root activity in CO2-fumigated and nitrogen-fertilized ponderosa pine

The purpose of this paper is to describe the effects of CO₂ and N treatments on soil pCO₂, calculated CO₂ efflux, root biomass and soil carbon in open-top chambers planted with Pinus ponderosa seedlings. Based upon the literature, it was hypothesized that both elevated CO₂ and N would cause increased root biomass which would in turn cause increases in both total soil CO₂ efflux and microbial respiration. This hypothesis was only supported in part: both CO₂ and N treatments caused significant increases in root biomass, soil pCO₂, and calculated CO₂ efflux, but there were no differences in soil microbial respiration measured in the laboratory. Both correlative and quantitative comparisons of CO₂ efflux rates indicated that microbial respiration contributes little to total soil CO₂ efflux in the field. Measurements of soil pCO₂ and calculated CO₂ efflux provided inexpensive, non-invasive, and relatively sensitive indices of belowground response to CO₂ and N treatments.     

Increased litterfall in tropical forests boosts the transfer of soil CO2 to the atmosphere

Aboveground litter production in forests is likely to increase as a consequence of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO(2)) concentrations, rising temperatures, and shifting rainfall patterns. As litterfall represents a major flux of carbon from vegetation to soil, changes in litter inputs are likely to have wide-reaching consequences for soil carbon dynamics. Such disturbances to the carbon balance may be particularly important in the tropics because tropical forests store almost 30% of the global soil carbon, making them a critical component of the global carbon cycle; nevertheless, the effects of increasing aboveground litter production on belowground carbon dynamics are poorly understood. We used long-term, large-scale monthly litter removal and addition treatments in a lowland tropical forest to assess the consequences of increased litterfall on belowground CO(2) production. Over the second to the fifth year of treatments, litter addition increased soil respiration more than litter removal decreased it; soil respiration was on average 20% lower in the litter removal and 43% higher in the litter addition treatment compared to the controls but litter addition did not change microbial biomass. We predicted a 9% increase in soil respiration in the litter addition plots, based on the 20% decrease in the litter removal plots and an 11% reduction due to lower fine root biomass in the litter addition plots. The 43% measured increase in soil respiration was therefore 34% higher than predicted and it is possible that this 'extra' CO(2) was a result of priming effects, i.e. stimulation of the decomposition of older soil organic matter by the addition of fresh organic matter. Our results show that increases in aboveground litter production as a result of global change have the potential to cause considerable losses of soil carbon to the atmosphere in tropical forests.     

N fertilization affects on soil respiration, microbial biomass and root respiration in Larix gmelinii and Fraxinus mandshurica plantations in China

The response of belowground biological processes to soil N availability in Larix gmelinii (larch) and Fraxinus mandshurica (ash) plantations was studied. Soil and root respiration were measured with Li-Cor 6400 and gas-phase O₂ electrodes, respectively. Compared with the control, N fertilization induced the decreases of fine root biomass by 52% and 25%, and soil respiration by 30% and 24% in larch and ash plantations, respectively. The average soil microbial biomass C and N were decreased by 29% and 42% under larch stand and 39% and 47% under ash stand, respectively. While the fine root tissue N concentration under fertilized plots was higher 26% and 12% than that under control plots, respectively, the average fine root respiration rates were increased by 10% and 13% in larch and ash stands under fertilized plot, respectively. Soil respiration rates showed significantly positive exponential relationships with soil temperature, and a seasonal dynamic. These findings suggest that N fertilization can suppress fine root biomass at five branch orders (<2 mm in diameter), soil respiration, and soil microbial biomass C and N, and alter soil microbial communities in L. gmelinii and F. mandshurica plantations.     

Tropospheric O(3) compromises net primary production in young stands of trembling aspen, paper birch and sugar maple in response to elevated atmospheric CO(2)

Concentrations of atmospheric CO(2) and tropospheric ozone (O(3)) are rising concurrently in the atmosphere, with potentially antagonistic effects on forest net primary production (NPP) and implications for terrestrial carbon sequestration. Using free-air CO(2) enrichment (FACE) technology, we exposed north-temperate forest communities to concentrations of CO(2) and O(3) predicted for the year 2050 for the first 7 yr of stand development. Site-specific allometric equations were applied to annual nondestructive growth measurements to estimate above- and below-ground biomass and NPP for each year of the experiment. Relative to the control, elevated CO(2) increased total biomass 25, 45 and 60% in the aspen, aspen-birch and aspen-maple communities, respectively. Tropospheric O(3) caused 23, 13 and 14% reductions in total biomass relative to the control in the respective communities. Combined fumigation resulted in total biomass response of -7.8, +8.4 and +24.3% relative to the control in the aspen, aspen-birch and aspen-sugar maple communities, respectively. These results indicate that exposure to even moderate levels of O(3) significantly reduce the capacity of NPP to respond to elevated CO(2) in some forests.     

Production, turnover and mycorrhizal colonization of root systems of three Populus species grown under elevated CO2 (POPFACE)

A fast growing high density Populus plantation located in central Italy was exposed to elevated carbon dioxide for a period of three years. An elevated CO₂ treatment (550 ppm), of 200 ppm over ambient (350 ppm) was provided using a FACE technique. Standing root biomass, fine root turnover and mycorrhizal colonization of the following Populus species was examined: Populus alba L., Populus nigra L., Populus x euramericana Dode (Guinier). Elevated CO₂ increased belowground allocation of biomass in all three species examined, standing root biomass increased by 47–76% as a result of FACE treatment. Similarly, fine root biomass present in the soil increased by 35–84%. The FACE treatment resulted in 55% faster fine root turnover in P. alba and a 27% increase in turnover of roots of P. nigra and P. x euramericana. P. alba and P. nigra invested more root biomass into deeper soil horizon under elevated CO₂. Response of the mycorrhizal community to elevated CO₂ was more varied, the rate of infection increased only in P. alba for both ectomycorrhizal (EM) and arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM). The roots of P. nigra showed greater infection only by AM and the colonization of the root system of P. x euramericana was not affected by FACE treatment. The results suggest that elevated atmospheric CO₂ conditions induce greater belowground biomass investment, which could lead to accumulation of assimilated C in the soil profile. This may have implications for C sequestration and must be taken into account when considering long‐term C storage in the soil.     

Elevated CO2 and conifer roots: effects on growth, life span and turnover

Elevated CO₂ increases root growth and fine (diam. 2 mm) root growth across a range of species and experimental conditions. However, there is no clear evidence that elevated CO₂ changes the proportion of C allocated to root biomass, measured as either the root:shoot ratio or the fine root:needle ratio. Elevated CO₂ tends to increase mycorrhizal infection, colonization and the amount of extramatrical hyphae, supporting their key role in aiding the plant to more intensively exploit soil resources, providing a route for increased C sequestration. Only two studies have determined the effects of elevated CO₂ on conifer fine-root life span, and there is no clear trend. Elevated CO₂ increases the absolute fine-root turnover rates; however, the standing crop root biomass is also greater, and the effect of elevated CO₂ on relative turnover rates (turnover:biomass) ranges from an increase to a decrease. At the ecosystem level these changes could lead to increased C storage in roots. Increased fine-root production coupled with increased absolute turnover rates could also lead to increases in soil organic C as greater amounts of fine roots die and decompose. Although CO₂ can stimulate fine-root growth, it is not known if this stimulation persists over time. Modeling studies suggest that a doubling of the atmospheric CO₂ concentration initially increases biomass, but this stimulation declines with the response to elevated CO₂ because increases in assimilation are not matched by increases in nutrient supply.     

The autotrophic contribution to soil respiration in a northern temperate deciduous forest and its response to stand disturbance

The goal of this study was to evaluate the contribution of oak trees (Quercus spp.) and their associated mycorrhizal fungi to total community soil respiration in a deciduous forest (Black Rock Forest) and to explore the partitioning of autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration. Trees on twelve 75 × 75-m plots were girdled according to four treatments: girdling all the oaks on the plot (OG), girdling half of the oak trees on a plot (O50), girdling all non-oaks on a plot (NO), and a control (C). In addition, one circular plot (diameter 50 m) was created where all trees were girdled (ALL). Soil respiration was measured before and after tree girdling. A conservative estimate of the total autotrophic contribution is approximately 50%, as indicated by results on the ALL and OG plots. Rapid declines in carbon dioxide (CO₂) flux from both the ALL and OG plots, 37 and 33%, respectively, were observed within 2 weeks following the treatment, demonstrating a fast turnover of recently fixed carbon. Responses from the NO and O50 treatments were statistically similar to the control. A non-proportional decline in respiration rates along the gradient of change in live aboveground biomass complicated partitioning of the overall rate of soil respiration and indicates that belowground carbon flux is not linearly related to aboveground disturbance. Our findings suggest that in this system there is a threshold disturbance level between 35 and 74% of live aboveground biomass loss, beyond which belowground dynamics change dramatically.     

Growth of Eastern Cottonwoods (Populus deltoides) in elevated [CO2] stimulates stand-level respiration and rhizodeposition of carbohydrates, accelerates soil nutrient depletion, yet stimulates above- and belowground biomass production

We took advantage of the distinctive system‐level measurement capabilities of the Biosphere 2 Laboratory (B2L) to examine the effects of prolonged exposure to elevated [CO₂] on carbon flux dynamics, above‐ and belowground biomass changes, and soil carbon and nutrient capital in plantation forest stands over 4 years. Annually coppiced stands of eastern cottonwoods (Populus deltoides) were grown under ambient (400 ppm) and two levels of elevated (800 and 1200 ppm) atmospheric [CO₂] in carbon and N‐replete soils of the Intensive Forestry Mesocosm in the B2L. The large semiclosed space of B2L uniquely enabled precise CO₂ exchange measurements at the near ecosystem scale. Highly controllable climatic conditions within B2L also allowed for reproducible examination of CO₂ exchange under different scales in space and time. Elevated [CO₂] significantly stimulated whole‐system maximum net CO₂ influx by an average of 21% and 83% in years 3 and 4 of the experiment. Over the 4‐year experiment, cumulative belowground, foliar, and total aboveground biomass increased in both elevated [CO₂] treatments. After 2 years of growth at elevated [CO₂], early season stand respiration was decoupled from CO₂ influx aboveground, presumably because of accelerated fine root production from stored carbohydrates in the coppiced system prior to canopy development and to the increased soil carbohydrate status under elevated [CO₂] treatments. Soil respiration was stimulated by elevated [CO₂] whether measured at the system level in the undisturbed soil block, by soil collars in situ, or by substrate‐induced respiration in vitro. Elevated [CO₂] accelerated depletion of soil nutrients, phosphorus, calcium and potassium, after 3 years of growth, litter removal, and coppicing, especially in the upper soil profile, although total N showed no change. Enhancement of above‐ and belowground biomass production by elevated [CO₂] accelerated carbon cycling through the coppiced system and did not sequester additional carbon in the soil.     

短期增温和增加降水对内蒙古荒漠草原土壤呼吸的影响

利用红外辐射增温装置模拟短期持续增温和降水增加交互作用对内蒙古荒漠草原土壤呼吸作用的影响, 结果表明: 土壤含水量对月土壤呼吸的影响显著大于土壤温度增加的影响, 生长旺季的月土壤呼吸显著大于生长末季; 土壤温度和水分增加都显著影响日土壤呼吸, 但二者的交互作用对土壤呼吸无显著影响。荒漠草原7‒8月平均土壤呼吸速率为1.35 μmol CO₂·m ^-2·s ^-1, 7月份为2.08 μmol CO₂·m ^-2·s ^-1, 8月份为0.63 μmol CO₂·m ^-2·s ^-1。土壤呼吸与地下各层根系生物量呈幂函数关系, 0‒10 cm土层的根系生物量对土壤呼吸的解释率(79.2%)明显高于10‒20 cm土层的解释率(31.6%)。0-10 cm土层的根系生物量是根系生物量的主体, 根系生物量对土壤呼吸的影响具有层次性。在未来全球变暖和降水格局变化的情景下, 荒漠草原土壤水分含量是影响生物量的主导环境因子, 而根系生物量的差异是造成土壤呼吸异质性的主要生物因素, 土壤含水量可通过影响根系生物量控制土壤呼吸的异质性。     

Seasonal dynamics of fine root biomass,root length density,specific root length,and soil resource availability in a Larix gmelinii plantation

Fine root tumover 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 Mav 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 (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 soil layer.RLD and SRL in May were the highestthe other months,and RLD was the lowest in Septemberdynamics 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.