Organic matter and nutrients associated with fine root turnover in a white oak stand. [Quercus albus]

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · For. Sci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6149753

Joslin, J D; Henderson, G S

Organic matter and nutrients cycled by fine root turnover were quantified in a mature white oak (Quercus alba L.) stand and compared to contributions from litterfall. The budget method, a revised version of the traditional repeated sampling method, was used to measure root turnover. The magnitude of the live and dead pools of three size classes of fine (<5 mm diameter) roots were monitored bimonthly for 14 months. Decomposition rates over these intervals were also measured, while production and mortality were calculated. Litterfall was collected simultaneously, and the nutrient concentrations of the various detritus components determined. Root pools fluctuated less, and total root turnover biomass (220 g m/sup -2/ yr/sup -1/) was also less than previously noted in most other stands studied. Fine root turnover accounted for 30% of the total detritus production and 20-40% of the turnover of the five macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) studied. Differences with previous studies suggest that there may be rather large species and/or site-related differences in the amount of energy various stands allocate for fine root maintenance. For. Sci. 33(2):330-346.

• OSTI ID: 6149753
• Journal Information: For. Sci.; (United States), Vol. 33:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
FORESTS
SOILS
OAKS
ROOTS
BIOCONVERSION
DECOMPOSITION
PRODUCTION
BIOMASS
FOREST LITTER
HUMUS
NUTRIENTS
ORGANIC MATTER
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
MATERIALS
PLANTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
TREES
140504* - Solar Energy Conversion- Biomass Production &amp; Conversion- (-1989)