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Digging deeper: Fine root responses to rising atmospheric [CO2] in forested ecosystems

Journal Article · · New Phytologist
 [1]
  1. ORNL
+ Show Author Affiliations
Experimental evidence from a diverse set of forested ecosystems indicates that CO2 enrichment may lead to deeper rooting distributions. While the causes of greater root production at deeper soil depths under elevated CO2 concentration ([CO2]) require further investigation, altered rooting distributions are expected to affect important ecosystem processes. The depth at which fine roots are produced may influence root chemistry, physiological function, and mycorrhizal infection, leading to altered nitrogen (N) uptake rates and slower turnover. Also, soil processes such as microbial decomposition are slowed at depth in the soil, potentially affecting the rate at which root detritus becomes incorporated into soil organic matter. Deeper rooting distributions under elevated [CO2] provide exciting opportunities to use novel sensors and chemical analyses throughout the soil profile to track the effects of root proliferation on carbon (C) and N cycling. Models do not currently incorporate information on root turnover and C and N cycling at depth in the soil, and modification is necessary to accurately represent processes associated with altered rooting depth distributions. Progress in understanding and modeling the interface between deeper rooting distributions under elevated [CO2] and soil C and N cycling will be critical in projecting the sustainability of forest responses to rising atmospheric [CO2].
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
974219
Journal Information:
New Phytologist, Journal Name: New Phytologist Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 186; ISSN 0028-646X; ISSN NEPHAV
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
CARBON
CHEMISTRY
DEPTH
DETRITUS
ECOSYSTEMS
FORESTS
MODIFICATIONS
NITROGEN
ORGANIC MATTER
PRODUCTION
PROLIFERATION
SIMULATION
SOILS
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
carbon storage
depth distribution
ecosystem model
elevated [CO2]
fine roots
forests
nutrient cycling
turnover