NDLI: Stand fine root biomass and fine root morphology in old-growth beech forests as a function of precipitation and soil fertility

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Leuschner, Christoph Hertel, Dietrich Schmid, Iris Koch, Oliver Muhs, Annette Hölscher, Dirk
Copyright Year	2004
Abstract	Only very limited information exists on the plasticity in size and structure of fine root systems, and fine root morphology of mature trees as a function of environmental variation. Six northwest German old-growth beech forests (Fagus sylvatica L.) differing in precipitation (520 – 1030 mm year$^{−1}$) and soil acidity/fertility (acidic infertile to basic fertile) were studied by soil coring for stand totals of fine root biomass (0–40 cm plus organic horizons), vertical and horizontal root distribution patterns, the fine root necromass/biomass ratio, and fine root morphology (root specific surface area, root tip frequency, and degree of mycorrhizal infection). Stand total of fine root biomass, and vertical and horizontal fine root distribution patterns were similar in beech stands on acidic infertile and basic fertile soils. In five of six stands, stand fine root biomass ranged between 320 and 470 g m$^{−2}$; fine root density showed an exponential decrease with soil depth in all profiles irrespective of soil type. An exceptionally small stand fine root biomass (<150 g m$^{−2}$) was found in the driest stand with 520 mm year$^{−1}$ of rainfall. In all stands, fine root morphological parameters changed markedly from the topsoil to the lower profile; differences in fine root morphology among the six stands, however, were remarkably small. Two parameters, the necromass/biomass ratio and fine root tip density (tips per soil volume), however, were both much higher in acidic than basic soils. We conclude that variation in soil acidity and fertility only weakly influences fine root system size and morphology of F. sylvatica, but affects root system structure and, probably, fine root mortality. It is hypothesized that high root tip densities in acidic infertile soils compensate for low nutrient supply rates, and large necromasses are a consequence of adverse soil chemical conditions. Data from a literature survey support the view that rainfall is another major environmental factor that influences the stand fine root biomass of F. sylvatica.
Starting Page	43
Ending Page	56
Page Count	14
File Format	PDF
ISSN	0032079X
Journal	Plant and Soil
Volume Number	258
Issue Number	1
e-ISSN	15735036
Language	English
Publisher	Kluwer Academic Publishers
Publisher Date	2004-01-01
Publisher Place	Dordrecht
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	Ecology Plant Sciences Plant Physiology Soil Science & Conservation
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Soil Science Plant Science

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