Field measures of the contribution of root respiration to soil respiration in an alder and cypress mixed plantation by two methods: trenching method and root biomass regression method

The contribution of root respiration to total soil respiration is one of the most interesting, important, and methodologically complicated problems in the study of the carbon budget in soils. A trenching method and a root biomass regression method were used to determine the contribution of root respiration to total soil respiration in a subtropical forest ecosystem. The average root respiration contributions were 37.15% with the range of 13.04–51.23% by trenching method and 31.80% with the range of 10.64–56.10% by root biomass regression method from August 2005 to July 2006. In growing season, the contributions of root respiration were 47.25 and 43.53% estimated by trenching method and root biomass regression method, respectively. There was no significant difference between the monthly attributions of root respiration to soil respiration estimated by two methods. Our results showed that trenching and root biomass regression methods were both suitable to estimate the root respiration in this forest.     

Changes in soil properties and vegetation characteristics along a forest-savanna gradient in southern Venezuela

Vegetation cover in the Gran Sabana highlands (southern Venezuela) appears as a complex mosaic of tall to low forests, bush vegetation and savannas. In this study we described the changes in structure and floristic composition along a forest-savanna gradient consisted of tall forest (TF), medium forest (MF), low forest (LF) and open savanna (S), and analyse the possible reasons for the observed changes. The results showed no obvious differences in the soils properties along the vegetation gradient. All sites presented shallow soils (<50 cm depth) with high percentage of sand and with dominance of quartz, kaolinite and oxides of iron and aluminum. The soil chemical characteristics were unfavorable and similar along the vegetation gradient. The major soil difference was related with the presence of an organic layer on the soil surface of TF and MF and their absence on the soils of LF and S. Abundant residues of large trees were found on the forest floor of TF, MF and LF. These residues presented no signs of burning in TF, while in MF and particularly in LF were charred. This observation joined to the presence of charcoal within the mineral soil of S and the absence of the organic surface layer in LF and S indicated that fire has affected with different intensity or frequency the studied vegetation gradient. Large differences in the structure and floristic composition were found between TF, MF, LF and S. These differences could not be explained by changes in the mineralogical and chemical characteristics of the soil but only by fire which triggers the conversion. We concluded that the studied vegetation gradient represents stages in a temporal change from forest to savanna caused by fire, and this change has implied an impoverishment of tree species, a drastic reduction of biomass in terms of basal area, a drastic change of the floristic composition and the loss of the organic surface layer, which play an important role to maintain the fertility of these soils.     

Effects of aspen canopy removal and root trenching on understory microenvironment and soil moisture

Effects of three aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) canopy removal treatments and root trenching on understory microenvironment and moisture were tested at Parkland and Boreal sites in Alberta, Canada. Aspen canopies moderated air temperature by reducing maximums and increasing minimums, and increased the frost-free period in the understory by reducing radiative frosts. When daily differences were found among canopy treatments, maximum absolute humidity was greater with complete canopy removal. Maximum daily relative humidity was greater in openings at night than with either full or partial canopy cover. Predictably, increasing aspen cover reduced PAR reaching the understory. Soil moisture response was highly variable, changing with site, aspen density and precipitation patterns, but there were only marginal differences due to root trenching. In the Parkland site, soil moisture conservation from aspen canopy and leaf litter effects were masked by tree uptake in most periods, but a net increase in soil water (+5.2%) was observed during drought. Soil and microclimatic conditions in thinned aspen stands suggest potentially favourable production benefits from developing and adopting agroforestry systems in these northern ecosystems.     

Effect of collar insertion on soil respiration in a larch forest measured with a LI-6400 soil CO2 flux system

Little information is available on the effect of root cutting by the collar pre-insertion technique on soil respiration. In this study, we found that soil respiration rates decreased with increasing depth of collar insertion in both the with live roots intact and with live roots severed treatments, but the rate of decrease was substantially higher in the former. The cutting of roots, especially fine roots, may be responsible for this result.     

Effects of site preparation on soil properties and on morphology of Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies seedlings sown at different dates

The aims of the study are to find out the effects of site preparation on soil properties and on the morphology of three-year-old Pinus sylvestris L. and Picea abies (L.) Karst. seedlings sown at different dates along a slope with variation in soil texture, water, and fertility. Based on the hypothesis that soil texture affects soil water content, water retention capacity, and nutrient content, we studied site preparation of varying intensities: exposed C horizon, mounds (broken O/E/B horizons piled over undisturbed ground), and exposed E/B horizon. Though the growing time difference between sowings was about one month, after three growing seasons, spring-sown seedlings were larger than summer-sown seedlings. P. sylvestris seedlings were largest with mounds and smallest with exposed C horizon, but site preparation did not affect the morphology of P. abies seedlings.     

Changes in soil properties of Abies holophylla and Quercus-dominated stands 4 years after trenching

Abstract

Few studies tried to isolate the influence of plant roots on the soil characteristics including soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) storage. We evaluated the impact of root trenching on soil characteristics of coniferous (Abies holophylla) and deciduous (Quercus spp.) stands 4 years after trenching. Trenching treatment significantly increased the soil water content and nitrate concentration in both stand types. Soil pH, cation exchange capacity, soil C and N pools and isotopic compositions of C and N were significantly different between two stands, but trenching was not found to have significant impact on these soil properties. Our results indicated that root trenching in coniferous and broad-leaved deciduous forests of temperate region could significantly alter soil moisture regime and inorganic N levels, but not C and N stabilization in soils.     

Eucalyptus urophylla root growth, stem sprouting and nutrient supply from the roots and soil

Lack of information concerning root growth of trees limits our knowledge of plant development and fertilizer response. The objective of this work was to study root growth dynamics of an E. urophylla forest after harvesting and the supply of nutrients from the roots and the soil to the new sprouts originating from the stumps. About 7-year-old eucalypt trees were felled and the sprouts and roots were sampled at 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 330 days after harvesting. The roots were separated into fine roots (<1 mm), medium roots (1–3 mm), coarse roots (>3 mm), and taproot. Nutrient supply to sprouts from the old roots and the soil was calculated based on the change in nutrient content of the roots with time and accumulation of nutrients in the sprouts. Fine, medium and coarse root biomass increased with time after harvesting. However, the increase was more pronounced with fine roots. Between harvesting and day 60 of the new growth, all nutrients allocated to the sprouts, excluding potassium, were supplied by the soil. K was the nutrient most dependent on root reserves for the initial growth of sprouts. The contribution of the old roots to N, P, Ca, and Mg accumulation in the sprouts increased between day 60 and 120. At 330 days after harvesting, about 9.2, 23.9, and 12.6% of the N, K, and Mg, respectively, that had accumulated in the sprouts were supplied by the roots, while all P and Ca were supplied by the soil.     

Prescribed burning and mechanical thinning effects on belowground conditions and soil respiration in a mixed-conifer forest,California

Soil respiration (R_S) is a major carbon pathway from terrestrial ecosystems to the atmosphere and is sensitive to environmental changes. Although commonly used mechanical thinning and prescribed burning can significantly alter the soil environment, the effect of these practices on R_S and on the interactions between R_S and belowground characteristics in managed forests is not sufficiently understood. We: (1) examined the effects of burning and thinning treatments on soil conditions, (2) identified any changes in the effects of soil chemical and physical properties on R_S under burning and thinning treatments, and (3) indirectly estimated the changes in the autotrophic soil respiration (R_A) and heterotrophic soil respiration (R_H) contribution to R_S under burning and thinning treatments. We conducted our study in the Teakettle Experimental Forest where a full factorial design was implemented with three levels of thinning, none (N), understory thinning (U), and overstory thinning (O; September to October 2000 for thin burn combination and June and July 2001 for thin only treatments) and two levels of burning, none (U) and prescribed burning (B; fall of 2001). R_S, soil temperature, soil moisture, litter depth, soil total nitrogen and carbon content, soil pH, root biomass, and root nitrogen (N) concentration were measured between June 15 and July 15, 2002 at each plot. During this period, soil respiration was measured three times at each point and averaged by point. When we assumed the uniform and even contribution of R_A and R_H to R_S in the studied ecosystem without disturbances and a linear relationship of root N content and R_A, we calculated the contributions of R_A to R_S as 22, 45, 53, 48, and 45% in UU, UO, BN, BU, and BO, respectively. The results suggested that after thinning, R_S was controlled more by R_H while after burning R_S was more influenced by R_A. The least amount of R_S variation was explained by studied factors under the most severe treatment (BO treatment). Overall, root biomass, root N concentration, and root N content were significantly (p < 0.01) correlated with soil respiration with correlation coefficients of 0.37, −0.28, and 0.29, respectively. This study contributes to our understanding of how common forestry management practices might affect soil carbon sequestration, as soil respiration is a major component of ecosystem respiration.     

Quantifying root system quality of nursery seedlings and relationship to outplanting performance

With over 1.5 billion forest tree seedlings produced annually in the USA, seedling quality assessment is critical to ensure reforestation success. While height and root-collar diameter are the most common traits evaluated during seedling quality assessment, above-ground morphology is not always an accurate predictor of performance after outplanting. Root system morphology and physiological status may provide a more accurate indication of seedling potential. However, relatively few studies have attempted to quantitatively assess root system quality in relation to outplanting success. Large root volume, high root fibrosity, and an increased number of first-order lateral roots have shown some correlation to improved field performance. Physiological seedling quality assessment is commonly practiced through evaluation of root growth potential. Other tests, such as root electrolyte leakage, have also shown some potential as measures of seedling physiological quality. This review identifies current methods of assessing seedling root system quality and discusses potential shortcomings of these methods. An increased understanding of the suitability of current tests, coupled with the development of new tests and multiple parameter relationships, may foster the development of species and site-specific targets for seedling root system quality assessment. The production of seedlings with root systems that meet high morphological and physiological standards better enables seedlings to rapidly establish and thrive upon outplanting.     

刺楸埋根育苗技术研究

采用不同根穗长度、根穗粗度、不同树龄及不同激素等处理,对刺楸的埋根繁殖技术进行试验研究。结果表明,刺楸埋根育苗是一种切实可行的无性繁殖方法。     

Root morphology and nutritional status of Japanese red cedar saplings subjected to in situ levels of aluminum in forest soil solution

There is little information on the effects of in situ levels of aluminum (Al) in the forest soil solution on the root morphology of Japanese red cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don). We evaluated whether morphological and nutritional changes in the white roots of Japanese red cedar saplings grown in glass-bead culture for 18 weeks occurred in response to Al solutions at five concentrations: 0 (control), 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0mM. Branching white roots treated with 0.5 or 1.0mM Al had some stunted, brown, thickened tips. Their mean lengths were significantly shorter than those of roots treated with 0.05 or 0.1mM Al. The maximum diameters of white roots treated with 0.5 or 1.0mM Al were significantly larger than those of the control. Treatment with 0.5 or 1.0mM Al reduced the concentrations of Ca and Mg in the white roots and increased the concentration of Al compared with the control. These results indicate that between 0.1 and 0.5mM Al, a drastic change occurs in the effects of Al on the morphology and nutritional status of white roots of Japanese red cedar saplings, and suggest that the Al levels in Japanese forest soils may induce morphological changes in the white roots.     

Relationships between the root system size and its hydraulic properties in white spruce seedlings

Seedlings grown under different N supply were examined for relationships between root system size attributes and its hydraulic properties. These relationships were also studied on seedlings of different stock types (grown in different container types). Measurements with root pressure probes were taken at various times after germination, under applied hydrostatic pressure and non-limiting soil moisture. Different N-treatments and stock types were used solely to produce seedling of different sizes, especially root system sizes. Specific root hydraulic conductivity (Lp_r) typically declined with an increasing root system size and correlations between Lp_r and the root system size attributes were often negative. The flow of water through the root system correlated well with root system size attributes only in young (3–4 month old) seedlings but the correlations were inconsistent among different N treatments and stock types. Neither the root system surface area nor dry weight reliably reflected its ability to absorb and conduct water. Generally, the amount of water delivered through the root system and available for transpiration per unit or leaf surface area or unit of leaf dry weight correlated poorly or negatively with the root system size. Practical and scientific implications of the findings are discussed. *Paper presented at Forest Seedling Root Development Conference: From the Nursery to the Field, Eugene, Oregon, May 12–13, 2004.     

Effect of thawing regime on growth and mortality of frozen-stored Norway spruce container seedlings planted in cold and warm soil

One-year-old frozen-stored Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) container seedlings were planted in a controlled environment providing an air temperature of 22°C and soil temperature of 9±1 or 18±1°C. At planting the root plugs were either frozen or had been thawing for 4 days at 9°C. During a 5-week growing period, in both cold and warm soil the root growth and height growth were less in frozen-planted seedlings than in thawed seedlings. In addition, frozen-planting delayed bud burst and increased mortality. Soil temperature, however, had no effect on bud burst or mortality. Low soil temperature retarded root growth of seedlings thawed before planting but resulted in both retarded root growth and height growth if root plugs were frozen when planted. These results indicate that planting Norway spruce seedlings with frozen root plugs constitutes a considerable risk for successful forest regeneration at soil temperatures normally prevailing in Fennoscandia in spring or early summer especially if the soil is dry at the time of the planting.     

Root distribution of Eucalyptus grandis and Corymbia maculata in degraded saline soils of south-eastern Australia

Planting trees, in farm forestry enterprises, to control rising watertables is an increasing practice for both economic and environmental benefits. One central biophysical issue which determines the effectiveness of trees to control groundwater is the ability of trees to grow roots through degraded soils and take up groundwater. We investigated the effect of soil properties, especially the presence of shallow watertables and site preparation practice, on the vertical and horizontal distributions of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden and Corymbia maculata (Hook.) K.D. Hill and L.A.S. Johnson roots. In order to improve the reliability of root data, we measured root growth and distribution by three different methods – (i) number of roots intercepting the vertical plane of the soil profile, (ii) root length density in soil cores taken at different depths but in the horizontal plane of the profile, and (iii) root length density in soil cores in the vertical plane at different radial positions from trees and compared the results. Two experimental sites were established in flood-irrigated, farm forestry plantations on contrasting soils in the Murray Riverina region of south-eastern Australia. At one site (Norwood Park), we studied a 58-month-old stand of E. grandis growing in clay loam overlaying medium clay, saline, sodic and alkaline subsoil with a saline (11.5 dS m⁻¹) watertable at 2.8 m depth. Here, there were few roots growing above the watertable. The Karawatha site had adjacent stands of 46-month old E. grandis and C. maculata growing in a sandy, neutral and non-saline soil with a shallow (3.1 m deep) non-saline (2.8 dS m⁻¹) watertable. Here roots proliferated above the watertable in both species but to a much greater extent under C. maculata than under E. grandis. Root distributions in the surface soil were similar at all sites but differences in root growth in the capillary zones paralleled differences in groundwater uptake by trees. We conclude (i) that appropriate matching of species with site characteristics, especially soil and groundwater properties, will enhance tree growth and groundwater uptake and (ii) that extensive planting of C. maculata over non-saline watertables maximises the chances of achieving the multiple objectives of regional groundwater control, fast growth rates and reduced irrigation demand.     

控根育苗技术引进试验初步效果

为提高森林城市建设工程质量,赤峰市林业科学研究所从陕西杨凌引进澳大利亚先进的控根快速育苗技术,对17种树木分3种不同规格容器进行培育试验,对树木成活率、生长量和增根效果进行调查分析,结果表明:树木成活率为97%,当年高度生长量在0.3~0.9m不等,均优于大田树木;用纵切1/4根系的方法测量根系鲜重,平均鲜重为0.120kg,约是大田对照鲜重的2倍。       

Stress resistance levels change little during dormancy in ash,sessile oak and sycamore seedlings

The physiological status of ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.)) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) seedlings sampled from nurseries in Ireland between October and May, 1995/1996 and 1996/1997 was investigated. The results of heat treatments applied to taproots in vitro and evaluated using root electrolyte leakage (REL) indicated that sycamore was more easily damaged than the other species but lift date effects were small in all species. Dormancy release began later each year in ash (mid-November) than in oak or sycamore (late October to early November). The results of the REL and other data indicated that there was little change in stress resistance from November to about March (and April for some parameters). Sycamore was most active (highest shoot xylem pressure potential, REL, and root growth potential) during the winter, suggesting that adverse handling during this period is likely to reduce plant quality than in ash or oak. Field performance was good regardless of lifting/planting date.     

Effects of the extreme drought in 2003 on soil respiration in a mixed forest

We present a field study on the drought effects on total soil respiration (SR_t) and its components, i.e., “autotrophic” (SR_a: by roots/mycorrhizosphere) and “heterotrophic” respiration (SR_h: by microorganisms and soil fauna in bulk soil), in a mature European beech/Norway spruce forest. SR_a and SR_h were distinguished underneath groups of beech and spruce trees using the root exclusion method. Seasonal courses of SR_a and SR_h were studied from 2002 to 2004, with the summer of 2003 being extraordinarily warm and dry in Central Europe. We (1) analyzed the soil temperature (T _s) and moisture sensitivity of SR_a and SR_h underneath both tree species, and (2) examined whether drought caused differential decline of SR_a between spruce and beech. Throughout the study period, SR_a of beech accounted for 45–55% of SR_t, independent of the soil water regime; in contrast, SR_a was significantly reduced during drought in spruce, and amounted then to only 25% of SR_t. In parallel, fine-root production was decreased during 2003 by a factor of six in spruce (from 750 to 130 mg l⁻¹ a⁻¹), but remained at levels similar to those in 2002 in beech (about 470 mg l⁻¹ a⁻¹). This species-specific root response to drought was related to a stronger decline of SR_a in spruce (by about 70%) compared to beech (by about 50%). The sensitivity of SR_a and SR_h to changing T _s and available soil water was stronger in SR_a than SR_h in spruce, but not so in beech. It is concluded that SR_a determines the effect of prolonged drought on the C efflux from soil to a larger extent in spruce than beech, having potential implications for respective forest types. This article belongs to the special issue "Growth and defence of Norway spruce and European beech in pure and mixed stands."     

水培盐碱胁迫对杂交新美柳生根特性的影响

采用水培法,以杂交新美柳当年生枝条为材料,采用完全随机区组设计,研究了NaCl、Na2SO4、NaHCO3和Na2CO3胁迫下杂交新美柳的生根情况.结果表明:杂交新美柳在NaCl胁迫下有一定的应激能力,耐盐域值约为50 mmol/L;耐Na2SO4和NaHCO3域值约为25 mmol/L;Na2CO3胁迫下插穗不能生根.胁迫严重程度为碱性盐大于中性盐.     

Fine root biomass and morphology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus densiflora</Emphasis> under competitive stress by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecyparis obtusa</Emphasis>

The fine root (diameter ≤2.0 mm) biomass and morphology of Japanese red pines (Pinus densiflora) grown under different aboveground conditions (i.e., high and low competitive environments) were examined in a pine–cypress mixed forest. All P. densiflora subject trees were about 40 years old, and the aboveground condition (i.e., size) of red pines appeared to be influenced by the surrounding Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa). Smaller P. densiflora exhibited lower fine root biomasses, shorter root lengths, and lower root tip densities, but longer specific root lengths and higher specific root tip densities relative to larger pines. These results suggest that P. densiflora may adjust the morphological traits of fine roots to the different conditions in biomass allocation to fine roots of individuals with different aboveground growth.