Intraspecific variations in fine root N and P and factors affecting their concentrations in Masson pine plantations across subtropical China

Fine roots(<2 mm)play vital roles in water and nutrient uptake.However,intraspecific variations in their chemical traits and their controlling mechanisms remain poorly understood at a regional scale.This study examined these intraspecific variations in fine roots in Masson pine(Pinus massoniana Lamb.)plantations across subtropical China and their responses to environmental factors.Root nitrogen(N)and phosphorus(P)concentrations and their mass ratios(N:P)ranged from 3.5 to 11.7 g kg^(-1),0.2 to0.9 g kg^(-1),and 7.8 to 51.6 g kg^(-1),respectively.These three chemical traits were significantly different between sites and in longitudinal patterns across subtropical China.Mean annual temperature was positively related to root N concentration but negatively related to root P concentration.There were significant,negative relationships between clay content and root P concentration and between pH and root N concentration.Available N had no significant relationship with root N concentration,while available P was a significantly positive relationship with root P concentration.The combined effects of altitude,climate(temperature and precipitation)and soil properties(pH,clay content,available N and P)explained 26%and 36%of the root N and P concentrations variations,respectively.These environmental variables had direct and indirect effects and exhibited disproportionate levels of total effects on root N and P concentrations.Root N and P concentrations explained 35%and 65%variations in their mass ratios,respectively.The results highlight different spatial patterns of chemical traits and various environmental controls on root N and P concentrations in these ecosystems.More cause-effect relationships of root chemical traits with abiotic and biotic factors are needed to understand nutrient uptake strategies and the mechanisms controlling intraspecific variations in plant traits.

Effects of solar radiation and fine roots on suction of Amorpha fruticose-vegetated soil

The thickness of shallow landslides is generally less than 2 m,which is of the same order of magnitude as the growth range of vegetation roots.Vegetation roots can improve the stability of shallow soil through mechanical and hydraulic effects.Therefore,the landslide process is closely related to the plant roots growing on the slope surface.Plant roots play a dominant role in the regulation of soil suction through solar radiation induced transpiration.However,little is known about the correlation between cumulative solar radiation and soil suction.Moreover,the specific effects of fine roots on the suction distribution are not clear in most previous studies.In this study,a vegetated soil of a drought-tolerant and water-tolerant shrub,namely Amorpha fruticose,was adopted.The suction and volumetric water content of bare and vegetated soils were monitored under natural conditions for 4 months.The results demonstrate that there is a nearly linear relationship between cumulative solar radiation and suction ranging from zero to 100 kPa.Regarding the modeling of the soil-plant-atmosphere interactions,this relationship could serve a significant role in calculating the root water uptake under given solar radiation conditions.In addition,higher suctions were observed at the lower layer of the vegetated soil than those at the middle layer,which is different from the results of vegetated soil from previous investigations.This is due to the fact that the root area index(RAI)of fine roots at the lower layer is twice that of the middle layer.Importantly,the higher concentration of fine roots at the lower layer of vegetated soil sample resembles the root distribution of shrub near the soil-bedrock interface on shallow bedrock landslides.The fine roots would increase soil suction through transpiration,and hence reduce the permeability and increase shear strength of landslides.Eventually,these new findings serve as a preliminary step on the evaluation of the stability of this common type of landslides.

Fine Root Distribution Characteristics of Populus cathayana Plantations at Different Ages in Alpine Sandy Land

[Objectives]The paper was to study the fine root distribution characteristics of Populus cathayana plantations at different ages in alpine sandy land.[Methods]With 5,10,15,20,and 25 years old P.cathayana plantation in the eastern margin of Gonghe Basin,Qinghai Province as the research objects,fine roots were collected by root core drilling method,and the differences of fine root biomass,root length density,average diameter and root tip number at the soil depths of 0-20,20-40,40-60,60-80 and 80-100 cm were analyzed.[Results]The total biomass density of P.cathayana plantation was mainly distributed in the soil layer of 0-60 cm,accounting for 76%of the entire soil layer,and its value increased with the increase in forest age.With the increase in different forest ages,the root length density,average diameter and root tip number of living fine roots in the soil layer of 0-60 cm accounted for 74%-81%of the entire soil layer,and the proportions in the soil layers of 60-80 and 80-100 cm were 9%-11%.The biomass density,root length density,average diameter and root tip number of living and dead fine roots of P.cathayana plantation increased with the increase of forest age.The root length density,average diameter and root tip number of P.cathayana fine roots showed a linear function change trend with the growth of forest age,which could be described by the linear function equation y=ax+b(a>0).The analysis results showed that the root length density,average diameter and root tip number of P.cathayana were significantly correlated with the total biomass density of fine roots,and the root length density and average diameter had an extremely positive correlation with the total biomass density.[Conclusions]In the future,P.cathayana plantation should be properly tended to promote the development of fine roots and maximize its ecological benefits.

Variation patterns of fine root biomass, production and turnover in Chinese forests

China's forests cover 208.3 million ha and span a wide range of climates and a large variety of forest types, including tropical, temperate, and boreal forests. However, the variation patterns of fine root (< 2 mm in diameter) biomass, production, and turnover from the south to the north are unclear. This study summarizes fine root biomass (FRB), production (FRP) and turnover rate (FRT) in China's forests as reported by 140 case studies published from 1983 to 2014. The results showed that the mean values of FRB, FRP and FRT in China's forests were 278 g m(-2), 366 g m(-2) a(-1), and 1.19 a(-1), respectively. Compared with other studies at the regional or global scales, FRB in China's forests was lower, FRP was similar to estimates at the global scale, but FRT was much higher. FRB, FRP, and FRT in China's forests increased with increasing mean annual precipitation (MAP), indicating that fine root variables were likely related to MAP, rather than mean annual temperature or latitude. This is possibly due to the small variation in temperature but greater variation in precipitation during the growing season. These findings suggest that spatiotemporal variation in precipitation has a more profound impact on fine root dynamics in China's forests, and this will impact carbon and nutrient cycles driven by root turnover in the future.

Vertical Distribution and Seasonal Dynamics of Fine Root Parameters for Apple Trees of Different Ages on the Loess Plateau of China

The vertical distribution pattern and seasonal dynamics of fine root parameters for the apple trees of different ages （3, 10, 15, and 20 years old） on the Loess Plateau of China were studied. Soil coring method was used to determine the vertical distribution and seasonal dynamics of fine roots at different root radial distances （1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 m from the main tree trunk）. The fine root biomass density （FRD）, fine root length density （RLD）, and specific root length （SRL）, as well as soil water content and soil temperature were also measured. The FRD and RLD for the 10, 15, and 20 years old trees reached peak values in the 20-30 cm soil layer. For the 3 years old tree, the highest FRD and RLD were observed in the 10-20 cm soil layer. The FRD and RLD decreased with increased soil depth from the 10-20 or 20-30 cm soil layer for all age apple trees. The SRL declined with the increase of tree age. The FRD at the 1.0 m radial distance from the main tree trunk was higher than that at other radial distances in the 3 and 10 years old orchard. However, in the 15 and 20 years old orchards, especially the 20 years old orchard, the FRD at the 2.0 m radial distance was nearly equal to or higher than that at the 1.0 and 1.5 m radial distances. For all the root radiuses or the tree ages, the FRD, RLD, and SRL were the highest in spring and the lowest in autumn. The age of an apple tree does not affect the vertical distribution pattern but the biomass of fine roots and the SRL. Radial distance affects the root horizontal distribution of 3 and 10 years old trees but the 15 and 20 years old trees. Additionally, effects of soil temperature and soil moisture on fine root distribution or seasonal dynamics are not significant.

Definition of fine roots on the basis of the root anatomy, diameter,and branch orders of one-year old Fraxinus mandshurica seedlings

Fine roots are important in root absorption of nutrient and water,and in root turnover.Accurate definition of fine roots is a prerequisite to improved estimation of the physiological and ecological functions of forest ecosystems.Root development and physiological functions are reflections of root anatomical structure.In this study,the anatomical structures of different root orders were analyzed by examining paraffin sections of one-year old Fraxinus mandshurica seedlings.One-year-old F.mandshurica seedlings had over five root orders.The root anatomical structures of all orders showed more differences.First and second order roots consisted of four sections： the epidermis,cortex,pericycle,and vascular bundles.Fourth and fifth order roots were mainly composed of the skin and peripheral vascular bundles（including the xylem and phloem）.Third order roots had root epidermal and cortical structures,but the quantity and integrity of the cortical cells were inferior to those of the first and second order roots,and superior to those of the fourth and fifth order roots.All the first and second order roots and some third order roots with discontinuous cork layer（〈0.4 mm in diameter）,but not the fourth and fifth order roots,were the fine roots of one-year old F.mandshurica seedlings.Although they had similar diameters,different portions of root systems had different anatomical structures and therefore,vary in capacity to absorb water and nutrients.Fine roots were accurately defined by root diameter,branch orders,and anatomical structural features of one-year old F.mandshurica seedlings.

Estimating the production and mortality of fine roots using minirhizotrons in a Pinus densiflora forest in Gwangneung,Korea

The aim of this study was to estimate fine root production （FP） and fine root mortality （FM） at 0-10, 10-20, and 20-30 cm soil depths using minirhizotrons in a 75-year-old Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. forest located in Gwangneung, Korea. We developed the conversion factors （frame cm-2） of three soil depths （0.158 for 0-10 cm, 0.120 for 10-20 cm, and 0.131 for 20-30 cm） based on soil coring and minirhizotron data. FP and FM were estimated using conversion factors from March 26, 2013 to March 2, 2014. The annual FP and FM values at the 0-30 cm soil depth were 3200.2 and 2271.5 kg ha-1 yr -1, respectively. The FP estimate accounted for approximately 17 % of the total net primary production at the study site. FP was highest in summer （July 31-September 26）, and FM was highest in autumn （September 27-November 29）. FP was positively correlated with seasonal change in soil temperature, while FM was not related to that change. The sea- sonality of FP and FM might be linked to above-ground photosynthetic activity. Both FP and FM at the 0-10 cm depth were significantly higher than at 10-20 and 20-30 cm depths, and this resulted from the decrease in nutrient availability with increasing soil depth. The minirhizotron approach and conversion factors developed in this study will enable fast and accurate estimation of the fine root dynamics in P. densiflora forest ecosystems.

Spatial heterogeneity of fine root biomass of Pinus massoniana forests in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China

Environmental heterogeneity is a constant presence in the natural world that significantly affects plant behavior at a variety of levels of complexity. In order to estimate the spatial pattern of fine root biomass in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, the spatial heterogeneity of fine root biomass in the upper layer of soils （0-10 cm） in three Mas- son pine （Pinus massoniana） stands in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China, was studied in 30 m x 30 m plots with geostatistical analysis. The results indicate that 1） both the live and dead fine root biomass of stand 2 were less than those of other stands, 2） the spatial variation of fine roots in the three stands was caused together by structural and ran- dom factors with moderate spatial dependence and 3） the magnitude of spatial heterogeneity of live fine roots ranked as： stand 3 〉 stand 1 〉 stand 2, while that of dead fine roots was similar in the three stands. These findings suggested that the range of spatial autocorrelation for fine root biomass varied considerably in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, while soil properties, such as soil bulk density, organic matter and total nitrogen, may exhibit great effect on the spatial distribution of fine roots. Finally, we express our hope to be able to carry out further research on the quantitative relation- ship between the spatial heterogeneous patterns of plant and soil properties.

Nutrient retranslocation from the fine roots of Fraxinus mandshurica and Larix olgensis in northeastern China

Nutrient retranslocation in trees is important in nutrient budgets and energy flows in forest ecosystems. We investigated nutrient retranslocation in the fine roots of a Manchurian Ash （Fraxinus mandshurica） and a Larch （Larix olgensis） plantation in northeastern China. Nutrient retranslocation in the fine roots was investigated using three methods, specifically, nutrient concentration, the ratio of Ca to other elements （Ca/other elements ratio） and nutrient content. The method based on nutrient content proved most suitable when investigating nutrient retranslocation from fine roots of the two species. The nutrient-content-based method showed that there were retranslocations of N, P, K and Mg from the fine roots of Manchurian Ash, with retranslocation efficiencies of 13, 25, 65, and 38 %, respectively, whereas there were no Ca retranslocations. There were retranslocations of N, P, K, Ca and Mg from the fine roots of Larch, with retranslocation efficiencies of 31, 40, 52, 23 and 25 %, respectively.

Comparing growth and fine root distribution in monocultures and mixed plantations of hybrid poplar and spruce

Disease prevention, biodiversity, productivity improvement and ecological considerations are all factors that contribute to increasing interest in mixed plantations. The objective of this study was to evaluate early growth and productivity of two hybrid poplar clones, P. balsamifera x trichocarpa （PBT） and P. maximowiczii x balsamifera （PMB）, one improved family of Norway spruce （Picea glauca （PA）） and one improved family of white spruce （Picea abies （PG）） growing under different spacings in monocultures and mixed plots. The plantations were established in 2003 in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec, Canada, in a split plot design with spacing as the whole plot factor （1 × 1 m, 3 × 3 m and 5 × 5 m） and mixture treatments as subplot factor （pure： PBT, PMB, PA and PG, and 1：1 mixture PBT：PA, PBT：PG, PMB：PA and PMB：PG）. Results showed a beneficial effect of the hybrid poplar-spruce mixture on diameter growth for hybrid poplar clones, but not for the 5 × 5 m spacing because of the relatively young age of the plantations. Diameter growth of the spruces decreased in mixed plantings in the 1 × 1 m, while their height growth increased, resulting in similar aboveground biomass per tree across treatments. Because of the large size differences between spruces and poplars, aboveground biomass in the mixed plantings was generally less than that in pure poplar plots. Leaf nitrogen concentration for the two spruce families and hybrid poplar clone PMB was greater in mixed plots than in monocultures, while leaf nitrogen concentration of clone PBT was similar among mixture treatments. Because of its faster growth rate and greater soil resources demands, clone PMB was the only one showing an increase in leaf N with increased spacing between trees. Fine roots density was greater for both hybrid poplars than spruces. The vertical distribution of fine roots was insensitive to mixture treatment.

Response of density-related fine root production to soil and leaf traits in coniferous and broad-leaved plantations in the semiarid loess hilly region of China

Fine roots are the most active and functional component of root systems and play a significant role in the acquisition of soil resources. Density is an important structural factor in forest plantations but information on changes in fine roots along a density gradient is limited. In this study, plantations of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and Chinese pine (Pinus tabuliformis Carr.) with four density classes were analyzed for the influence of soil and leaf traits on fine root growth. Fine root biomass increased with stand density. High fine root biomass was achieved through increases in the fine root production and turnover rate in the high-density black locust plantations and through an increase in fine root production in the pine plantations. In the high-density Chinese pine stand, there was a high fine root turnover which, coupled with high fine root production, contributed to a high fine root biomass. Overall, fine root production and turnover rate were closely related to soil volumetric water content in both kinds of plantations, while fine root biomass, especially the component of necromass, was related to soil nutrient status, which refers to phosphorous content in black locust plantations and nitrogen content in Chinese pine plantations. There was a close linkage between leaf area index and fine root dynamics in the black locust plantations but not in the pine plantations.

Fine Roots Dynamics in Two Forest Strata of a Semi-Deciduous Forest in Northern Republic of Congo

The belowground biomass is represented by coarse and fine roots. Concentrated in the superficial horizons of the soil, the fine roots play a crucial role in the functioning of a forest ecosystem. However, studies on their dynamics in natural forests are almost non-existent in the Republic of Congo. Here, we estimated the biomass, production, turnover and fine root lifespan of two forest strata of a semi-deciduous forest: the Gilbertiodendron dewevrei (De Wild.) J. Léonard forest (GF) and the mixed forest (MF) of land. The ingrowth cores method was used to estimate the biomass, production, turnover and lifespan of fine roots. The results of this study revealed that the biomass, production and fine root turnover of the two forest strata studied significantly decreased with increasing soil depth, with an increase in lifespan. The annual fine root biomass of GF (2284.50 ± 37.62 and 1034.61 ± 14.52 ) was slightly lower than that of MF (2430.07 ± 40.68 and 1043.10 ± 11.75 ) in the 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm horizons, respectively. The annual production of fine roots from these latter horizons was respectively 1300.19 ± 32.17 and 539.18 ± 11.55 in GF and 1362.24 ± 39.59 and 492.95 ± 14.38 in the MF. Root turnover was higher in the GF (1.68 ± 0.05 and 1.35 ± 0.03 ) than in the MF (1.57 ± 0.05 and 1.13 ± 0.02 ). The lifespan of fine roots increased with the depth of the soil. The difference in fine root dynamics observed between the forest strata studied was influenced by the Evenness index and the above-ground biomass.

Morphological Characteristics and Nutrient Content of Fine Roots of 2-Year-Old and 3-Year-Old Eucalyptus grandis Plantation

[ Objective] This study aimed to explore the morphological characteristics and nutrient content of f＇me roots of 2-year-old and 3-year-old Euca/yptus grand/s plantation and investigate the correlation. [ Method] Fine roots of 2-year-old and 3-year-old Eucalyptus grandis plantation were collected as experimental materials, to determine the root diameter （D）, root length （L）, specific root length （SRL） and contents of major nutrient elements N, P, K, Ca, Mg and C of fine roots （level 1 -5）, study the morphological characteristics and major nutrient element content and investigate the correlation. [ Result] The results showed that morphological differences of fine roots （ level 1 - 5 ） of Eucalyptus grandis plantation were great with the increase of root order, to be specific, D and L increased and SRL decreased with the increasing root order; SRL, L and D of 3-year-old Eucalyptus grauclis plantation were greater than those of 2-year-old Euca/yptus grand/s plantation. Contents of N, Ca, Mg and C of fine roots of 2-year-old and 3-year-old Eucalyptus grandis plantation showed consistent orders with the increase of root order： N and Mg contents were reduced, while Ca and C contents were enhanced; P and K contents varied with different forest ages; both 2-year-old and 3-year- old Eucalyptus grandis showed an order of C 〉 K 〉 Ca （Mg） 〉 N. Major nutrient element content and morphological characteristics of Eucalyptus grand/s fine roots （level 1 -5 ） were extremely significantly correlated （P 〈0.01 ）, SRL, L and D could be adopted as reference indices to evaluate nutrient status of Eucalyptus grand/s. Required nutrients and fine root morphology of Eucalyptus grandis plantation changed with the increase of forest age, and the nutrient cycling and energy flow patterns also changed; major nutrient dements in fine roots of 2-year-old and 3-year-old Eucalyptus grandis plantation transferred in a different order from the growth order, therefore N fertilizer could be applied to improve the growth of fine roots. [ Condusion] This study laid the foundation for understanding the fine root morphology and nutrient variation pattern of Eucalyptus grandis plantation and enriching the response and adaptation mechanism theory of roots to environment, pos- sessing important reference significance for the sustainable development of Eucalyptus grand/s plantation.

Fine Root Mortality Increased by Earthquake Induced Landslides

This study determined the effects of earthquake induced landslide on fine root mortality. It is useful to understand underground soil process after earthquake. We established 9 plots at each of non-moved and landslide site in Cupressus funebris and Cryptomeria fortunei forest stands near the fault belt of the Wenchuan Earthquake. Fine roots were sampled at 0 - 10 and 10 - 15 cm soil layer using aluminum cylinders (100 cm3). We found that earthquake induced landslide significantly increased fine root mortality in Cupressus funebris and Cryptomeria fortunei forest stands. Fine root biomass also decreased by landslide at 0 - 10 cm soil layer. We observed that the fine root biomass and mortality were various with forest type. There were higher fine root mortality rate (68.4%) and lower fine root biomass (0.48 t/hm2) in Cupressus funebris than the Cryptomeria fortunei soils (0.97 t/hm2 and 37.4%).

Effects of Thinning and Litter Fall Removal on Fine Root Production and Soil Organic Carbon Content in Masson Pine Plantations

Soils play a critical role in the global carbon cycle, and can be major source or sink of CO2 depending upon land use, vegetation type and soil management practices. Fine roots are important component of a forest ecosystem in terms of water and nutrient uptake. In this study the effects of thinning and litter fall removal on fine root production and soil organic carbon content were examined in 20-year-old Masson pine (Pinus resinosa) plantations in Huitong, Hunan Province of China in the growing seasons of 2004 and 2005. The results showed that fine root production was significantly lower in the thinning plots than in the control plots, with a decrease of 58% and 14% in 2004 and 2005 growing seasons, respectively. Litter fall removal significantly increased fine root production by 14% in 2004. Soil temperature (Tsoil) and soil moisture (Msoil) were higher in the thinning plots than those in the controls. Litter fall removal had significant effiects on Tsoil and Msoil. Soil organic carbon content was higher in the thinning plots but was lower in the plots with litter fall removal compared with that in the controls. Our results also indicated that annual production of fine roots resulted in small carbon accumulation in the upper layers of the soil, and removal of tree by thinning resulted in a significant increase of carbon storage in Masson pine plantations.

Spacial Patterns of Fine Root Abundance in Mixed Larch-Ash Plantation

Horizontal and veftical distributions of fine root abundance (mass per unit ground surface arca) were investi-gated in a densely planted larch - ash -stripe - mixed tbrest on dark broxvn forest soil in northeast China. There was evidencefor some degree of below-ground niche partitioning (or differentiation) betmpen the two species in hoth the horizontal andvertical directions. The ash fine roots largely penetrated into the larch belt (larch Sub-community) in surttrce soil (0-20 cm),indicating a possible inductive effect of larch ecological field on ash roots, while the penetration of larch tine roots into ashbelt (ash sub-community) was much restricted- which reflected a negative influence of ash ccological tield on Iarch roots. Inthe vertical direction of marginal soil the ash tine roots were mainly distributed in topsoil with a vertical gradient similar tothat as in the internal ash sub-community. but the larch fine roots were relatively compelled to deepcr soil layers by the com-petition (or exclusion) of marginal ash trees. All the dit1brences or complemcntarity wcre considered to the result of inter-specitic competition, which was important to the coexistence of the two tbrest species and the sustainability of mixed planta-tion.

Fine root litter quality regulates soil carbon storage efficiency in subtropical forest soils

●High-quality and low-quality root litter had contrasting patterns of mass loss.●Greater litter-derived C was incorporated into soils under high-quality root litter.●Root litter decay rate or litter-derived C were related to soil microbial diversity.●Root litter quality had little effect on soil physicochemical properties.●High root litter quality was the main driver of enhanced soil C storage efficiency.Decomposing root litter is a major contributor to soil carbon(C)storage in forest soils.During decomposition,the quality of root litter could play a critical role in soil C storage.However,it is unclear whether root litter quality influences soil C storage efficiency.We conducted a two-year greenhouse decomposition experiment using 13C-labeled fine root litter of two tree species to investigate how root litter quality,represented by C to nitrogen(C/N)ratios,regulates decomposition and C storage efficiency in subtropical forest soils in China.‘High-quality’root litter(C/N ratio=26)decayed faster during the first year(0−410 days),whereas‘low-quality’root litter(C/N ratio=46)decomposed faster toward the end of the two-year period(598−767 days).However,over the two years of the study,mass loss from high-quality root litter(29.14±1.42%)was lower than‘low-quality’root litter(33.01±0.54%).Nonetheless,root litter C storage efficiency(i.e.,the ratio of new root litter-derived soil C to total mineralized root litter C)was significantly greater for high-quality root litter,with twice as much litter-derived C stored in soils compared to low-quality root litter at the end of the experiment.Root litter quality likely influenced soil C storage via changes in microbial diversity,as the decomposition of high-quality litter declined with increasing bacterial diversity,whereas the amount of litter-derived soil C from low-quality litter increased with fungal diversity.Our results thus reveal that root litter quality mediates decomposition and C storage in subtropical forest soils in China and future work should consider the links between root litter quality and soil microbial diversity.

Estimation of fine root production, mortality and turnover with Minirhizotron in Larix gmelinii and Fraxinus mandshurica plantations

Fine root turnover is a major pathway for carbon and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems.However,to estimate fine root turnover,it is important to first understand the fine root dynamic processes associated with soil resource availability and climate factors.The objectives of this study were:(1)to examine patterns of fine root production and mortality in different seasons and soil depths in the Larix gmelinii and Fraxinus mandshurica plantations,(2)to analyze the correlation of fine root production and mortality with environmental factors such as air temperature,precipitation,soil temperature and available nitrogen,and(3)to estimate fine root turnover.We installed 36 Minirhizotron tubes in six monospecific plots of each species in September 2003 in the Mao’ershan Experimental Forest Station.Minirhizotron sampling was conducted every two weeks from April 2004 to April 2005.We calculated the average fine root length,annual fine root length production and mortality using image data of Minirhizotrons,and estimated fine root turnover using three approaches.Results show that the average growth rate and mortality rate in L.melinii were markedly smaller than in F.mandshurica,and were highest in the surface soil and lowest at the bottom among all the four soil layers.The annual fine root production and mortality in F.mandshurica were significantly higher than in L.gmelinii.The fine root production in spring and summer accounted for 41.7% and 39.7% of the total annual production in F.mandshurica and 24.0% and 51.2% in L.gmelinii.The majority of fine root mortality occurred in spring and summer for F.mandshurica and in summer and autumn for L.gmelinii.The turnover rate was 3.1 a^(-1) for L.gmelinii and 2.7 a^(-1) for F.mandshurica.Multiple regression analysis indicates that climate and soil resource factors together could explain 80% of the variations of the fine root seasonal growth and 95%of the seasonal mortality.In conclusion,fine root production and mortality in L.gmelinii and F.mandshurica have different patterns in different seasons and at different soil depths.Air temperature,precipitation,soil temperature and soil available nitrogen integratively control the dynamics of fine root production,mortality and turnover in both species.

Soil respiration is driven by fine root biomass along a forest chronosequence in subtropical China

Aims Soil respiration(Rs)is a major process controlling soil carbon loss in forest ecosystems.However,the underlying mechanisms leading to variation in Rs along forest successional gradients are not well understood.In this study,we investigated the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on Rs along a forest successional gradient in southeast China.Methods We selected 16 plots stratified by forest age,ranging from 20 to 120 years.In each plot,six shallow collars and six deep collars were permanently inserted into the soil.Shallow and deep collars were used to measure Rs and heterotrophic respiration(Rh),respectively.Autotrophic soil respiration(Ra)was estimated as the difference between Rs and Rh.Litter layer respiration(R_(L))was calculated by subtracting soil respiration measured in collars without leaf litter layer(R_(NL))from Rs.Rs was measured every 2 months,and soil temperature(ST)and soil volumetric water content(SVWC)were recorded every hour for 19 months.We calculated daily Rs using an exponential model dependent on ST.Daily Rs was summed to obtain cumulative annual Rs estimates.Structural equation modelling(SEM)was applied to identify the drivers of Rs during forest succession.Important Findings Rs showed significant differences among three successive stages,and it was the highest in the young stage.Ra was higher in the young stage than in the medium stage.Cumulative annual Rs and Ra peaked in the young and old stages,respectively.Cumulative annual Rh and respiration measured from soil organic matter(R_(SOM))decreased,whereas R_(L)increased with forest age.The SEM revealed that cumulative annual Rs was influenced by fine root biomass and SVWC.Our results indicated that the dominant force regulating Rs on a seasonal scale is ST;however,on a successional scale,belowground carbon emerges as the dominant influential factor.

Functional traits of poplar leaves and fine roots responses to ozone pollution under soil nitrogen addition

Concurrent ground-level ozone(O_(3))pollution and anthropogenic nitrogen(N)deposition can markedly influence dynamics and productivity in forests.Most studies evaluating the functional traits responses of rapid-turnover organs to O_(3) have specifically examined leaves,despite fine roots are another major source of soil carbon and nutrient input in forest ecosystems.How elevated O_(3) levels impact fine root biomass and biochemistry remains to be resolved.This study was to assess poplar leaf and fine root biomass and biochemistry responses to five different levels of O_(3) pollution,while additionally examining whether four levels of soil N supplementation were sufficient to alter the impact of O_(3) on these two organs.Elevated O_(3) resulted in a more substantial reduction in fine root biomass than leafbiomass;relative to leaves,more biochemically-resistant components were present within fine root litter,which contained high concentrations of lignin,condensed tannins,and elevated C:N and lignin:N ratios that were associated with slower rates of litter decomposition.In contrast,leaves contained more labile components,including nonstructural carbohydrates and N,as well as a higher N:P ratio.Elevated O_(3) significantly reduced labile components and increased biochemically-resistant components in leaves,whereas they had minimal impact on fine root biochemistry.This suggests that O_(3) pollution has the potential to delay leaf litter decomposition and associated nutrient cycling.N addition largely failed to affect the impact of elevated O_(3) levels on leaves or fine root chemistry,suggesting that soil N supplementation is not a suitable approach to combating the impact of O_(3) pollution on key functional traits of poplars.These results indicate that the significant differences in the responses of leaves and fine roots to O_(3) pollution will result in marked changes in the relative belowground roles of these two litter sources within forest ecosystems,and such changes will independently of nitrogen load.