Growth periodicity, biomass and nutrient content of fine roots in a northern hardwood forest
Seasonal periodicity of growth, biomass and nutrient content of fine roots were estimated in a beech-birch-maple forest in the Adirondack Mountains. Root elongation rate was measured at regular intervals for one calendar using rhizotrons. Root growth was minimal from January to April and from September to December. Initiation of fine root growth occurred in mid-April, remained high throughout the summer months and declined sharply during August. Fine root biomass, necromass, length, and nutrient content (Ca, Mg, K, N, P and S) were estimated from soil core samples. Estimates for each parameter generally declined with depth in the profile. Fine root production is strongly seasonal, decreases with depth, and accounts for a significant portion of the soil nutrient capital.
- Research Organization:
- College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State Univ. of New York, Syracuse, NY (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 6071396
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-870835-
- Journal Information:
- Bull. Ecol. Soc. Am.; (United States), Vol. 68:3; Conference: 72. annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Columbus, OH, USA, 9 Aug 1987
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ROOTS
PLANT GROWTH
ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS
FORESTS
NUTRIENTS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SOIL CHEMISTRY
TREES
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS
CHEMISTRY
GROWTH
MOUNTAINS
PLANTS
VARIATIONS
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