Dynamics of fine roots in five Chinese temperate forests
Quantifying fine root production and mortality is crucially needed for modeling forest ecosystem carbon cycling, but the fine root dynamics are poorly understood in Chinese temperate forests. We used a minirhizotron method to investigate spatial and temporal dynamics of fine roots (diameter ≤ 2 mm) in five representative temperate forests in northeastern China. Our specific objectives were to: (1) compare standing crop, production and mortality of fine roots among the five stands; (2) examine fine root phenology for the stands; and (3) examine vertical distribution patterns of fine roots for the stands. Fine root dynamics were significantly affected by forest type, soil layer, sampling time and their interactions. The mean values of fine root standing crop varied from 8.0 to 12.8 mm cm-2; those of production varied from 0.027 to 0.046 mm cm-2 d-1; and those of mortality varied from 0.013 to 0.024 mm cm-2 d-1. All stands had a similar seasonal “sinusoidal” pattern of fine root standing crop, and a “unimodal” pattern of production. However, the seasonal dynamics of the mortality was unsynchronized with that of the production. The minimum values of standing crop, production and mortality occurred in March for all stands, while the maximum values and occurring time differed among forest types. The occurrence of the maximum standing crop varied from DOY (day of year) 222 for the oak stand to DOY 271 for the aspen-birch stand; that of the maximum production varied from DOY 188 for the pine and hardwood stands to DOY 239 for the larch stand; and that of the maximum mortality varied from DOY 222 for the oak and aspen-birch stands to DOY 287 for the larch stand. The standing crop, production and mortality of fine roots tended to decrease with soil depths, of which the relative contribution at 0 -10 cm depth averaged 38%, 46%, and 58% of total, respectively. The fact that the production was approximate twice as great as the mortality suggested a net carbon input to the soil of these forests.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 984223
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-68763; ISSN 1618-0860; KP1703030; TRN: US201015%%879
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Plant Research, 123 (4):497-507, Vol. 123, Issue 4; ISSN 0918-9440
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Final Technical Report