scholarly journals Root biomass and root fractal analyses of an open Eucalyptus forest in a savanna of north Australia

2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Eamus ◽  
X. Chen ◽  
G. Kelley ◽  
L. B. Hutley

Below-ground biomass of a Eucalyptus savanna forest was estimated following trenching to depths of 2 m around 16 mature trees in a tropical savanna of north Australia. Correlations among below-ground and various components of above-ground biomass were also investigated. In addition, root morphology was investigated by fractal analyses and a determination of an index of shallow-rootedness was undertaken. Total root biomass was 38.4 t ha–1, including 1 t ha–1 of fine roots. About 77–90% of total root biomass was found in the upper 0.5 m of soil. While fine-root biomass density was approximately constant (0.1 kg m–3) in the top soil, irrespective of distance from a tree stem, coarse-root biomass showed large variation with distance from the tree stem. Significant positive correlations among total root biomass, total above-ground biomass, diameter at breast height, leaf biomass and leaf area were obtained. It is likely that total root biomass can be reasonably accurately estimated from aboveground biomass and fine-root biomass from tree leaf area. We present equations that allow the prediction of belowground biomass from above-ground measures of tree size. Root morphology of two evergreen and two deciduous species was compared by the use of three parameters. These were the fractal dimension (d), which describes root system complexity; a proportionality factor (α), which is the ratio of the cross-sectional area before and after branching; and two indices of shallow-rootedness (ISR). Roots were found to be amenable to fractal analyses. The proportionality factor was independent of root diameter (Dr) at any branching level in all tree species examined, indicating that branching patterns were similar across all root sizes. The fractal dimension (d) ranged from 1.15 to 1.36, indicating a relatively simple root structure. Mean d was significantly different between E. tetrodonta (evergreen) and T. ferdinandiana (deciduous); however, no significant differences were found among other pairs of species. Terminalia ferdinandiana had the highest ISR, while Planchonia careya (deciduous) had the lowest. In addition, differences in ISR between P. careya and the other three species were significant, but not significant among E. miniata, E. tetrodonta and T. ferdinandiana. There were clear relationships among above-ground tree stem diameter at breast height, stem base diameter, and horizontal and vertical proximal root diameter. By the use of mean values of and stem diameter, we estimated the total crosssectional area of root and root diameter-class distribution for each species studied.

2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 427-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Asbjornsen ◽  
N. Velázquez-Rosas ◽  
R. García-Soriano ◽  
C. Gallardo-Hernández

Although fire is occurring at greater frequencies and spatial scales in the moist tropics, few studies have examined the ecological impacts of fire in tropical montane cloud forest (TMCF). This study, conducted in the Chimalapas region of Oaxaca, Mexico, documents changes in live tree biomass, live fine-root biomass, and fallen and standing dead wood 4 y following deep ground fires occurring in TMCF during the 1997–98 El Niño Southern Oscillation event. Forests growing on two different substrates (metamorphic and sedimentary) and having three different statures (mean canopy heights: 20–30 m, 15–20 m and 4–6 m) were assessed within six paired plots established on adjacent burned and unburned forest sites. Total live tree biomass was 82% and 88% lower for burned TMCF growing on metamorphic and sedimentary substrates, respectively, compared with unburned TMCF. Nearly 100% of the living biomass was killed in elfin TMCF located on exposed sedimentary limestone at the highest elevations. Live fine-root biomass in the upper organic soil horizon of burned TMCF sites was 49% lower on metamorphic substrates and 77% lower on sedimentary substrates compared with unburned sites. The amount of total dead wood was 3- to 14-fold greater in burned forests compared with unburned forests. These results suggest that first-time fires in relatively undisturbed TMCF can cause dramatic changes in live above- and below-ground biomass at levels greatly exceeding values reported for most lowland tropical rain forests. These patterns may be attributed to the slower decomposition rates and thick organic soils typical of TMCF, combined with the relatively fast drainage associated with steep topography and, in some locations, sedimentary limestone-derived substrates.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suryono Suryono ◽  
Nirwani Soenardjo ◽  
Edi Wibowo ◽  
Raden Ario ◽  
Edi Fahrur Rozy

Ekosistem mangrove memiliki fungsi ekologis sebagai penyerap dan penyimpan karbon. Mangrove menyerap CO2 pada saat proses fotosintesis, kemudian mengubahnya menjadi karbohidrat dengan menyimpannya dalam bentuk biomassa pada akar ,pohon, serta daun. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui total above ground biomass, belowground biomass, simpanan karbon atas, simpanan karbon bawah, dan karbon organik pada sedimen dasar  di Hutan Mangrove Perancak, Jembrana, Bali. Sampling dilakukan dengan  metode purposive sampling dengan dasar pertimbangan berupa jenis, kerapatan serta diameter pohon mangrove. Estimasi biomassa digunakan  metode tanpa pemanenan dengan mengukur diameter at breast height (DBH, 1.3 m) mangrove. Simpanan karbon diestimasi dari 46% biomasa. Kandungan karbon organik pada sedimen diukur dengan  menggunakan metode lost on ignition (LOI). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan total above ground biomass sebesar 187,21 ton/ha, below ground biomass sebesar 125,43 ton/ha, simpanan karbon atas sebesar 86,11 ton/ha, simpanan karbon bawah sebesar 57,69 ton/ha, sedangkan  karbon organik sedimen sebesar 359,24 ton/ha. The mangrove ecosystem has ecological functions as an absorber and carbon storage. Mangrove absorbs CO2 during the process of photosynthesis, then changes it into carbohydrates bystoring it in the form of tree biomass. The aim of this research is to know the total of above ground biomass, below ground biomass, upper carbon storage, lower carbon storage, and sediment organic carbon in Perancak Mangrove Forest, Jembrana, Bali. The selection of sampling location using purposive sampling method with consideration of type, density and diameter of mangrove. The estimatorion of biomass using the method without harvesting by measuring diameter at breast height (DBH, 1.3 m) mangrove. Carbon deposits are estimated from46% of biomass. The organic carbon content of sediment was measured using the lost on ignition (LOI) method. The results showedthat  the total of above ground biomass of 187.21 ton / ha, below ground biomass 125,43 ton / ha, upper carbon store of 86,11 ton / ha, lower carbon store of 57,69 ton / ha, and organic carbon sedimen to 359.24 tons / ha.


Prediction equations have been worked out on the basis of 17 trees felled for Eucalyptus hybrid for different tree components on the basis of diameter and height (D2 H) which was found to be best suited as depended variable over D & D2 (Diameter at Breast Height 1.37 m). The correlation coefficient (r2 ) values of all the tree components are significant where as these values for AGB (Above Ground Biomass), BGB (Below Ground Biomass) and Total Biomass (TB) is highly significant. These developed prediction equations are validated by comparing the predicted values of total biomass of overall average trees felled with their actual / calculated biomass. The differences of predicted and actual biomass ranged from 6.8 to 38.5 % of different diameter classes in the felled Eucalyptus trees. Generally differences between predicted and actual biomass in percentages of 10 – 30 % is universally acceptable in forest management.


1985 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Vogt ◽  
D. J. Vogt ◽  
E. E. Moore ◽  
W. Littke ◽  
C. C. Grier ◽  
...  

A potential indirect technique for determining fine root biomass and production is reported for Douglas-fir. Present data show a direct correlation between the starch content of a 1 cm wide band of living bark at breast height per hectare and fine root biomass per hectare (r2 = 0.85).


2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 483-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Röderstein ◽  
Dietrich Hertel ◽  
Christoph Leuschner

Litter production from above-ground (leaves, twigs, fruits, flowers) and below-ground (roots) plant organs is an important component of the cycling of carbon and nutrients in forests. Tropical montane forests possess comparatively large quantities of fine-root biomass, suggesting that litter production by dying fine roots may represent a major component of total litter production. In a comparative study in three tropical montane forests of southern Ecuador at 1890, 2380 and 3060 m elevation, we measured leaf-fall by litter trapping and fine-root litter production by sequential soil coring and fine-root biomass and necromass analysis for about 1 y with the objectives (1) to quantify annual above- and below-ground litter production, and (2) to investigate elevational differences in litter production. Leaf litter mass decreased to less than a third (862 to 263 g m−2 y−1) with increasing elevation (1890 m to 3060 m), whereas fine-root litter production increased by a factor of about four (506 to 2084 g m−2 y−1). Thus, the ratio of leaf to fine-root litter shifted by an order of magnitude in favour of fine-root litter production between 1890 to 3060 m. Fine-root litter production was not synchronized with leaf litterfall and was seasonal only at 3060 m with mortality peaks in the drier and the wetter periods. We conclude that dying fine roots represent a very important fraction of total litterfall in tropical montane forests that can exceed the quantity of leaf litter. At 3060 m, the largest part of the organic material on top of the soil must originate from dying fine roots but not from fallen leaves.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Serdar Akburak ◽  
Ender Makineci

Abstract Background Thinning is a commonly used treatment in forest management which affects the tree root systems. The effects of thinning on element concentrations and seasonal change of roots were evaluated in adjacent oak (Quercus frainetto Ten.) and hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) stands according to the different root diameter classes. Method Two replicated control and thinning plots (50 m × 50 m) were set for each species (hornbeam and oak). Thinning treatments (November 2010) reduced 50% of the basal area in both oak and hornbeam stands. Roots were assessed by seasonal collection over 2 years (from October 2010 to October 2012). The roots were then sorted into diameter classes of 0–2 mm (fine roots), 2–5 mm (small roots) and > 5 mm (coarse roots). C, N, P, K, Ca, Na, Mg, S, Mn, Fe, Al, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cu and Cd were analyzed. Results Except coarse roots, the highest root biomasses were determined in April-2011 in all plots. Fine-root biomass in oak was found significantly higher in control plots. In contrast to the oak, the fine-root biomass in the thinned hornbeam plots was higher than in the controls. The small-root biomass did not significantly differ between the thinned and the control plots in both oak and hornbeam stands. However, the coarse-root biomass showed significant differences between the control (1989 g∙m− 2) and thinned plots (1060 g∙m− 2) in oak, while no difference was detected in hornbeam. The concentrations of C, Al, Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, Mn, Na, K, Mg and P in the fine roots of oak were significantly higher in the thinned plots. However, the concentration of Pb, Cd and Fe in the fine roots was significantly higher in the thinned plots of hornbeam. Significant differences were observed between the species for all elements in the fine roots except for C, N and P. In particular, elements in the fine roots tended to increase in July in the oak. In the hornbeam, all element concentrations in the fine roots (except C, N, and S) in the thinned plots showed a tendency to increase in April. The concentrations of Pb, Ni, Al, Fe, Cu, Ca, Na, K, Mg and P in the hornbeam control plots increased during the April 2011 period. Conclusion The results indicated that thinning effects on temporal changes and concentrations of elements in the roots could be attributed to species-specific characteristics.


2013 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 645-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun-Ke LIU ◽  
Chuan FAN ◽  
Xian-Wei LI ◽  
Yin-Hua LING ◽  
Yi-Gui ZHOU ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document