Quantifying the coarse-root biomass of intensively managed loblolly pine plantations

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley T Miller ◽  
H Lee Allen ◽  
Chris A Maier
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Belowground Biomass ◽  
Carbon Accumulation ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Coarse Roots ◽  
Coarse Root ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Intensively Managed

Most of the carbon accumulation during a forest rotation is in plant biomass and the forest floor. Most of the belowground biomass in older loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) forests is in coarse roots, and coarse roots persist longer after harvest than aboveground biomass and fine roots. The main objective was to assess the carbon accumulation in coarse roots of a loblolly pine plantation that was subjected to different levels of management intensity. Total belowground biomass ranged from 56.4 to 62.4 Mt·ha–1 and was not affected by treatment. Vegetation control and disking increased pine taproot biomass and decreased hardwood taproot biomass. Pines between tree coarse roots were unaffected by treatment, but hardwoods between tree coarse roots were significantly reduced by vegetation control. Necromass was substantially lower than between-tree biomass, indicating that decomposition of coarse-root biomass from the previous stand was rapid for between-tree coarse roots. Total aboveground biomass was increased by vegetation control, with the lowest production on the least intensively managed plots (180.2 Mt·ha–1) and the highest production on the most intensively managed plots (247.3 Mt·ha–1). Coarse-root biomass ranged from 19% to 24% of total biomass. Silvicultural practices increasing aboveground pine productivity did not increase total coarse-root biomass carbon because of the difference in root/shoot allocation between pine and hardwood species.

scholarly journals Effect of Density on Mediterranean Pine Seedlings Using the Nelder Wheel Design: Analysis of Biomass Production

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Ruano ◽  
Celia Herrero ◽  
Felipe Bravo
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Production ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Pinus Pinaster ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Pinus Halepensis ◽  
Belowground Biomass ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Production And Distribution ◽  
Mediterranean Pine ◽  
Positive Effect

Abstract BackgroundForest resilience should be improved to promote species adaptation and ensure the future of forests. Carbon stock is considered an indicator of resilience, so it is necessary to determine forest carbon stocks and how to improve them through forest management. The main objective of this study was to analyse biomass production and distribution among the components of four-year-old Pinus pinaster and Pinus halepensis trees. Young trees from a Nelder wheel experimental site were harvested and analysed. The effect of density could be included in the biomass analysis thanks to the Nelder wheel design. We tested densities from 1000 to 80000 seedlings/ha and analysed biomass by fitting different equations: (i) linear regressions to analyse biomass production; (ii) Dirichlet regressions to estimate the biomass proportions of each component and (iii) allometric equations to predict the biomass content of each component.ResultsResults from this innovative approach showed that density was a significant factor for Pinus halepensis. We observed a general increase of total biomass at lower densities and this positive effect increased root biomass proportion at the expense of aboveground biomass. Also, a new set of equations was developed for estimating above- and below-ground biomass in young Pinus pinaster and Pinus halepensis trees.Conclusionswe note the importance of belowground biomass and its value in total biomass production (approximately 20% of total biomass for both species). The effect of density on biomass production was only significant for Pinus halepensis, but the effect of density would have been different if root biomass had not been considered in the present study. Lower densities increased root biomass proportion at the expense of aboveground biomass. Currently, this positive effect is especially important in promoting management to improve tree resilience.

scholarly journals Loblolly Pine—Pushing the Limits of Growth

2001 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce E. Borders ◽  
Robert L. Bailey
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Annual Increment ◽  
Complete Control ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Mechanical Site Preparation ◽  
Yield Production ◽  
The World ◽  
Intensively Managed ◽  
Pinus Taeda L ◽  
Production Areas

Abstract With mean annual increments up to 5.4 cords/ac/yr, six loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) research sites in Georgia produced yields on par with other results from intensively managed loblolly plantations around the world. Cultural treatments in the Georgia study include complete control of vegetation other than the planted pines with multiple applications of herbicide, annual fertilization, the combination of complete vegetation control and annual fertilization, and an intensive mechanical site preparation treatment. Complete vegetation control resulted in higher yield production at ages 10 to 12 yr than the intensive mechanical treatment at all locations. This regime also resulted in higher yield production than the annual fertilization treatment at four of six locations. Volume mean annual increment for 10- to 12-yr-old plantations with the combination treatment of complete vegetation control and annual fertilization ranged from 325 to 490 ft3/ac, growth rates comparable to those obtained at other high biomass production areas throughout the world. Our economic evaluation based on these results shows that 8 to 12% real rates of return are feasible from investments in intensive loblolly pine plantations in the southeastern United States. South. J. Appl. For. 25(2):69–74.

Belowground to aboveground biomass ratio and vertical root distribution responses of mature Pinus radiata stands to phosphorus fertilization at planting

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (9) ◽  
pp. 1883-1894 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayalsew Zerihun ◽  
Kelvin D Montagu
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Radiata ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Root Distribution ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Phosphorus Fertilization ◽  
P Fertilization ◽  
Coarse Roots ◽  
Vertical Root Distribution ◽  
Allometric Relations ◽  
P Supply

We compared the belowground biomass (BGB)/aboveground biomass (AGB) ratio and the vertical root distribution of 40-year-old Pinus radiata D. Don fertilized with 0 or 90 kg P·ha–1 at planting. Root biomass was determined by a combination of coring (fine roots, ϕ < 2 mm; small roots, 2 ≤ ϕ < 15 mm) and excavation (coarse roots, ϕ ≥ 5 mm). Stand-level AGB and coarse root biomass (CRB) were estimated with the use of allometric relations. After 40 years, AGB and CRB of P-fertilized trees were 4.5 times those of unfertilized trees, indicating that CRB scaled isometrically with AGB independently of P supply. By contrast, P fertilization increased the fine and small root biomass (FSRB) pool by only 50%. As a result, the scaling of FSRB to AGB was dependent on P supply. The differential response of the FSRB to P fertilization caused the overall BGB/AGB ratio to decrease from 0.29 in control plots to 0.20 in P-fertilized plots. Phosphorus fertilization also altered the vertical distribution of fine root biomass (FRB). For example, the proportion of FRB in the top 15 cm increased from 41% to 52% with P fertilization. Collectively, the results showed that P added early in the growth phase had a persistent effect on the BGB/AGB ratio in P. radiata. This was primarily brought about by altered biomass partitioning to the nutrient-acquiring FSRB pool.

A 50-Year Retrospective of the Forest Productivity Cooperative in the Southeastern United States: Regionwide Trials

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R Carter ◽  
H Lee Allen ◽  
Thomas R Fox ◽  
Timothy J Albaugh ◽  
Rafael A Rubilar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
50Th Anniversary ◽  
Forest Productivity ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Intensively Managed

Abstract In 2019, the Forest Productivity Cooperative (FPC) celebrated its 50th anniversary. The mission of the FPC is and has been creating innovative solutions to enhance forest productivity and value through the sustainable management of site resources. This industry-government-university partnership has generated seminal research with sweeping implications for increasing productivity throughout the southeastern United States and Latin America. To commemorate this semicentennial, we highlighted some of the pivotal findings in the southeastern United States from the past 50 years derived from our large, regional experiments: regionwide trials. Study Implications: Fifty years of research have yielded substantial management implications for intensively managed loblolly pine in the southeastern United States. Some of our most impactful findings are the following: our generalized fertilization rate of 200 lb ac−1 elemental N and 25 lb ac−1 elemental P has been found to increase growth on most plantations in the region when applied at or before midrotation, whereas the addition of K and micronutrients was found to be important on the Pleistocene Terraces. Stands with a leaf area index (LAI) less than 3.5 will respond to fertilization, increasingly, so the lower the initial LAI. Our long-term site preparation studies demonstrated the importance of pairing optimal site preparation with fertilization and that subsoiling and tillage typically yielded lesser gains than fertilization and vegetation control at establishment. Fertilization tends to be more important to growth responses at midrotation than onetime vegetation control treatments, but an additive response when the two treatments are applied together is generally experienced. When fertilization is paired with thinning, the rate of postthinning diameter growth is accelerated.

Belowground and aboveground biomass in young postfire lodgepole pine forests of contrasting tree density

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Creighton M Litton ◽  
Michael G Ryan ◽  
Daniel B Tinker ◽  
Dennis H Knight
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Allocation ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Tree Density ◽  
Tree Size ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Basal Diameter ◽  
Coarse Root ◽  
Wide Range

As much as 40% of live biomass in coniferous forests is located belowground, yet the effect of tree density on biomass allocation is poorly understood. We developed allometric equations using traditional harvesting techniques to estimate coarse root biomass for [Formula: see text]13-year-old postfire lodgepole pine trees (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.). We then used these equations, plus estimates of fine root and aboveground biomass, to estimate total tree biomass and belowground to aboveground biomass ratios in young postfire lodgepole pine stands with a wide range of tree densities. Belowground biomass allocation increased with tree density, but the increase was largely determined by inherent differences associated with tree size, not competition. Stand biomass in trees ranged from 46 to 5529 kg·ha–1 belowground, from 176 to 9400 kg·ha–1 aboveground, and from 222 to 13 685 kg·ha–1 for total biomass. For individual trees, the ratio of belowground to total biomass declined with tree size from 0.44 at a basal diameter of 0.5 cm to 0.11 at a basal diameter of 8 cm. This shift in individual tree allocation caused the proportion of total stand biomass in belowground tissues to increase from 19% in low-density stands with larger trees to 31% in high-density stands with small trees.

Aboveground and belowground biomass and sapwood area allometric equations for six boreal tree species of northern Manitoba

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 1441-1450 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Bond-Lamberty ◽  
C Wang ◽  
S T Gower
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Stem Diameter ◽  
Allometric Equations ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Sapwood Area ◽  
Coarse Root ◽  
Biomass Equations

Allometric equations were developed relating aboveground biomass, coarse root biomass, and sapwood area to stem diameter at 17 study sites located in the boreal forests near Thompson, Man. The six species studied were trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.), black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP), jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), tamarack (Larix laricina (Du Roi) Koch.), and willow (Salix spp.). Stands ranged in age from 4 to 130 years and were categorized as well or poorly drained. Stem diameter ranged from 0.1 to 23.7 cm. Stem diameter was measured at both the soil surface (D0) and breast height (DBH). The relationship between biomass and diameter, fitted on a log–log scale, changed significantly at ~3 cm DBH, suggesting that allometry differed between saplings and older trees. To eliminate this nonlinearity, a model of form log10 Y = a + b(log10 D) + c(AGE) + d(log10 D × AGE) was used, where D is stem diameter, AGE is stand age, and the cross product is the interaction between diameter and age. Most aboveground biomass equations (N = 326) exhibited excellent fits (R2 > 0.95). Coarse root biomass equations (N = 205) exhibited good fits (R2 > 0.90). Both D0 and DBH were excellent (R2 > 0.95) sapwood area predictors (N = 413). Faster growing species had significantly higher ratios of sapwood area to stem area than did slower growing species. Nonlinear aspects of some of the pooled biomass equations serve as a caution against extrapolating allometric equations beyond the original sample diameter range.

Total belowground carbon and nitrogen partitioning of mature black spruce displaying genetic × soil moisture interaction in growth

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (11) ◽  
pp. 1939-1952 ◽  
Author(s):  
John E. Major ◽  
Kurt H. Johnsen ◽  
Debby C. Barsi ◽  
Moira Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Fine Roots ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Nitrogen Partitioning ◽  
Coarse Roots ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Coarse Root ◽  
C And N

Total belowground biomass, soil C, and N mass were measured in plots of 32-year-old black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.) from four full-sib families studied previously for drought tolerance and differential productivity on a dry and a wet site. Stump root biomass was greater on the wet than on the dry site; however, combined fine and coarse root biomass was greater on the dry than on the wet site, resulting in no site root biomass differences. There were no site differences in root distribution by soil depth. Drought-tolerant families had greater stump root biomass and allocated relatively less to combined coarse and fine roots than drought-intolerant families. Fine roots (<2 mm) made up 10.9% and 50.2% of the belowground C and N biomass. Through 50 cm soil depth, mean total belowground C mass was 187.2 Mg·ha–1, of which 8.9%, 3.4%, 0.7%, and 87.0% were from the stump root, combined fine and coarse roots, necromass, and soil, respectively. Here, we show that belowground C sequestration generally mirrors (mostly from stump roots) aboveground growth, and thus, trends in genetic and genetic × environment productivity effects result in similar effects on belowground C sequestration. Thus, tree improvement may well be an important avenue to help stem increases in atmospheric CO2.

scholarly journals Vegetation in karst terrain of southwestern China allocates more biomass to roots

Solid Earth ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 799-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ni ◽  
D. H. Luo ◽  
J. Xia ◽  
Z. H. Zhang ◽  
G. Hu
Keyword(s):  
Land Degradation ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Carbon Sink ◽  
Guizhou Province ◽  
Southwestern China ◽  
Coarse Roots ◽  
Karst Terrain ◽  
Rocky Habitats

Abstract. In mountainous areas of southwestern China, especially Guizhou province, continuous, broadly distributed karst landscapes with harsh and fragile habitats often lead to land degradation. Research indicates that vegetation located in karst terrains has low aboveground biomass and land degradation that reduces vegetation biomass, but belowground biomass measurements are rarely reported. Using the soil pit method, we investigated the root biomass of karst vegetation in five land cover types: grassland, grass–scrub tussock, thorn–scrub shrubland, scrub–tree forest, and mixed evergreen and deciduous forest in Maolan, southern Guizhou province, growing in two different soil-rich and rock-dominated habitats. The results show that roots in karst vegetation, especially the coarse roots, and roots in rocky habitats are mostly distributed in the topsoil layers (89 % on the surface up to 20 cm depth). The total root biomass in all habitats of all vegetation degradation periods is 18.77 Mg ha−1, in which roots in rocky habitat have higher biomass than in earthy habitat, and coarse root biomass is larger than medium and fine root biomass. The root biomass of mixed evergreen and deciduous forest in karst habitat (35.83 Mg ha−1) is not greater than that of most typical, non-karst evergreen broad-leaved forests in subtropical regions of China, but the ratio of root to aboveground biomass in karst forest (0.37) is significantly greater than the mean ratio (0.26 ± 0.07) of subtropical evergreen forests. Vegetation restoration in degraded karst terrain will significantly increase the belowground carbon stock, forming a potential regional carbon sink.

scholarly journals Root and shoot growth of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are differently affected by increasing subsoil biopore density when grown under different subsoil moisture

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirjam Koch ◽  
Roberta Boselli ◽  
Mario Hasler ◽  
Christian Zörb ◽  
Miriam Athmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Column Experiment ◽  
Lumbricus Terrestris ◽  
Belowground Biomass ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Subsoil Water ◽  
Moisture Regimes ◽  
Root And Shoot Growth

AbstractA column experiment with five different pore densities (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 pores column−1) and two varying moisture regimes (comparatively dry and comparatively moist regime) in the subsoil part of the columns was established. In each pore, Lumbricus terrestris was introduced for 28 days before sowing wheat plants. After 40 days of plant growth, watering was stopped to induce progressive topsoil drying. Parameters describing the shoot hydration, mineral uptake, and aboveground biomass were quantified. Root biomass and root length densities (RLD) were measured separately for six soil layers. Under dry subsoil conditions, plants grown under increasing biopore density showed an increase of the RLD and an improved shoot hydration but the aboveground biomass was unaffected. Since RLD but not root biomass was enhanced, it is assumed that roots were able to explore a larger volume of soil with the same amount of root biomass. Thereby, subsoil water likely was used more efficiently leading to an improved hydration. Under moist subsoil conditions, plants grown with increasing biopore density revealed enhanced shoot biomasses and nutrient uptake while the belowground biomass was unaffected. The improved nutrient uptake can be ascribed to, first, the higher subsoil water availability favoring mass flow driven nutrient uptake, and second, to direct and indirect effects of earthworms on the availability of soil nutrients. It is concluded that high biopore abundancies have the potential to improve not only the belowground but also the aboveground biomass. This, however, largely depends on subsoil moisture.

scholarly journals Root Biomass Estimation in Natural and Planted Mangrove

2021 ◽  
Vol 324 ◽  
pp. 03014
Author(s):  
Nasir Sudirman ◽  
Terry Louise Kepel ◽  
Restu Nur Afi Ati ◽  
Mariska A. Kusumaningtyas ◽  
Hadiwijaya Lesmana Salim
Keyword(s):  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Sediment Accumulation ◽  
Mangrove Ecosystem ◽  
Biomass Estimation ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Rhizophora Stylosa ◽  
High Contribution ◽  
Mangrove Trees ◽  
Potential Carbon

Belowground root biomass plays an essential role in the mangrove ecosystem as potential carbon storage, nutrient gain, or sediment accumulation yet is still overlooked. Therefore, estimation of root biomass is necessary. The objective was to determine and compare the belowground root biomass at the natural and planted mangrove ecosystem. We also measured the forest structure and the aboveground biomass. This study was conducted at four stations in Pramuka Island, Pari Island, Rambut Island (2 stations), Seribu Islands, Jakarta. The first island represented planted mangroves, whereas the latter two as natural stems. Rhizophora stylosa was the dominant species in three stations except for Rambut Island 2 that dominated by Ceriops Tagal. Stand densities were 2730±5 stems ha-1, 1733±5 stems ha-1, 1311±2 stems ha-1, and 1300±2 stems ha-1 for Pramuka Island, Pari Island, Rambut Island 1 and 2. The highest pile density was counted in Rambut Island 2 for 1612±8 stems ha-1 and the lowest in Pramuka Island (780±5 stems ha-1). The aboveground biomass was estimated as follows 109.13±11.91 Mg ha-1 in Pari Island, 89.45±19.53 in Rambut Island 2, 68.41±17.12 Mg ha-1 in Rambut Island 1, and 14.05±5.74 Mg ha-1 in Pramuka Island. Belowground root biomass in planted mangrove Pramuka Island (3.63±0.82 Mg ha-1) and the other two natural mangroves Pari Island (6.56±0.47 Mg ha-1) and Rambut Island 1 (7.17±0.81 Mg ha-1), were similar except for Rambut Island 2 (49.23±6.77 Mg ha-1). The contribution of root biomass ranges from 6-24% of the total biomass of mangrove trees, whereas the fine roots (< 2 mm) biomass occurred 28-74% in the entire root biomass. The results confirm the high contribution of belowground root biomass to the total biomass pool and the importance of maintaining the planted mangrove as a part of ecosystem rehabilitation.

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