Organic matter and nutrients associated with fine root turnover in a white oak stand. [Quercus albus]
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
Similar Records
Chemical plasticity in the fine root construct of Quercus spp. varies with root order and drought
Carbon cycling in a mixed deciduous forest floor
Related Subjects
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 & Conversion- (-1989)