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%).

Eff ects of stand condition and root density on fi ne-root dynamics across root functional groups in a subtropical montane forest

Fine roots play key roles in belowground C cycling in terrestrial ecosystems.Based on their distinct functions,fi ne roots are either absorptive fi ne roots(AFRs)or transport fi ne roots(TFRs).However,the function-based fi ne root dynamics of trees and their responses to forest stand properties remain unclear.Here,we studied the dynamics of AFRs and TFRs and their responses to stand conditions and root density in a subtropical montane mixed forest based on a 2-a root window experiment.Mean(±SE)annual production,mortality,and turnover rate of AFRs were 7.87±0.17 m m^(−2)a^(−1),8.13±0.20 m m^(−2)a^(−1)and 2.96±0.24 a^(−1),respectively,compared with 7.09±0.17 m m^(−2)a^(−1),4.59±0.17 m m^(−2)a^(−1),and 2.01±0.22 a^(−1),respectively,for TFRs.The production and mortality of fi ne roots were signifi cantly higher in high root-density sites than in low-root density sites,whereas the turnover of fi ne roots was faster in the low root-density sites.Furthermore,root density had a larger positive eff ect than other environmental factors on TFR production but had no obvious impact on AFR production.Tree species diversity had an apparent positive eff ect on AFR production and was the crucial driver of AFR production,probably due to a complementary eff ect,but had no evident impact on TFR.Both tree density and tree species diversity were positively correlated with the mortality of AFRs and negatively related to the turnover of TFRs,suggesting that higher root density caused stronger competition for rooting space and that plants tend to reduce maintenance costs by decreasing TFR turnover.These fi ndings illustrated the importance of root functional groups in understanding root dynamics and their responses to changes in environmental conditions.

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.