Root systems of successional and old-growth forest species and its role on nutrient dynamics within a tropical rainforest in Indonesia
Most studies of nutrient dynamics in tropical rainforest have focused on the above ground portion of forest trees. However, the aim of this dissertation is to demonstrate the root systems also play an important role in nutrient dynamics. Nutrient dynamics, in general, are likely to differ between successional forest and old-growth forest. To test for differences in nutrient uptake between trees of successional and old-growth forests, the author experimentally compared seedlings of six different species by measuring biomass allocation and nutrient concentrations as well as determining spatial patterns of root distribution and the absorption ability of the root systems by usign the [sup 32]P radiotracer technique. Young saplings of ten species from natural habitats were also examined for the same parameters, and the results to determine whether results of the laboratory experiments were consistent with field results. It was found that as seedlings, roots of successional forest species penetrate deeper into the soil and have longer lateral roots than old-growth forest species. Successional forest species also had greater biomass accumulation rates, higher ability to absorb [sup 32]P, and contained higher levels of nutrients than species of old-growth forest. Mycorrhizal associations are suspected to be responsible for the high nutrient concentrations, primarily of P and N, within successional species. Successional forest tree species had more cases of infection by vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizas (VAM), while old-growth forest species were infected by both VAM and ectomycorrhizas. Therefore, successional seedlings can play an important role in conserving released nutrients after disturbance. At the landscape level, successional species together with old-growth species can maintain sustainable nutrient cycling within tropical rainforests.
- Research Organization:
- Rutgers-the State Univ., New Brunswick, NJ (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 6914348
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph.D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
PHOSPHORUS
ROOT ABSORPTION
TREES
PLANT GROWTH
DYNAMIC FUNCTION STUDIES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FORESTRY
FORESTS
METABOLISM
MYCORRHIZAS
NUTRIENTS
PHOSPHORUS 32
PHYSIOLOGY
PLANTS
ROOTS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
ABSORPTION
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
DATA
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
ELEMENTS
GROWTH
INFORMATION
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
NONMETALS
NUCLEI
NUMERICAL DATA
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
PHOSPHORUS ISOTOPES
RADIOISOTOPES
SORPTION
UPTAKE
540210* - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (1990-)
551000 - Physiological Systems