scholarly journals Contrasting Root System Structure and Belowground Interactions between Black Spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P) and Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx) in Boreal Mixedwoods of Eastern Canada

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudele Ghotsa Mekontchou ◽  
Daniel Houle ◽  
Yves Bergeron ◽  
Igor Drobyshev
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Resource Use ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Competitive Exclusion ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Organic Layer ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Boreal Mixedwoods

This study explored the underground interactions between black spruce and trembling aspen in pure and mixed stands to understand how their soil resource use help these species coexist in the boreal mixedwoods of Western Quebec. We analyzed species-specific fine root foraging strategies (root biomass and root tissue density) along three soil layers (organic, top 0–15 cm, and bottom 15–30 cm mineral soil), using 180 soil cores. We collected cores in three sites, each containing three 20 × 50 m2 plots of pure spruce, pure aspen, and mixed spruce and aspen stands. Spruce had a shallow rooting, whereas aspen had a deep rooting in both types of stands. Compared to pure spruce stands, spruce had a lower fine root biomass (FRB) and a higher root tissue density (RTD) in the organic layer of mixed stands. Both patterns were indicative of spruce’s more intensive resource use strategy and competitive advantage over aspen in that layer. Aspen FRB in the organic soil did not differ significantly between pure and mixed stands, but increased in the mineral soil of mixed stands. Since we did not observe a significant difference in the nutrient content of the mineral soil layer between pure aspen and mixed stands, we concluded that aspen may experience competitive exclusion in the organic layer by spruce. Aspen exhibited an extensive nutrient uptake strategy in the organic layer of mixed stands: higher FRB and lower RTD than spruce. In mixed stands, the differences in aspen rooting patterns between the organic and mineral layers suggested the use of contrasting nutrient uptake strategies along the soil profile. We speculate that the stronger spatial separation of the roots of spruce and aspen in mixed stands likely contribute to a higher partitioning of their nutrient uptake along the soil profile. These results indicate the competitive exclusion of aspen by spruce in boreal mixedwoods, which likely occurs in the soil organic layer.

Responses of fine roots to experimental nitrogen addition in a tropical lower montane rain forest, Panama

2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Adamek ◽  
Marife D. Corre ◽  
Dirk Hölscher
Keyword(s):  
Rain Forest ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Fine Root Biomass ◽  
Organic Layer ◽  
N Addition ◽  
Ingrowth Cores ◽  
Montane Rain Forest

Abstract:Nitrogen (N) availability is a major control on fine-root growth and distribution with depth in forest soils. We investigated fine-root dynamics in response to N addition in a montane rain forest with N-limited above-ground production. Control and N-fertilized (125 kg urea-N ha−1 y−1) treatments were laid out in a paired-plot design with four replicates (each 40 × 40 m). During 1.5 y of treatment, fine root-biomass, necromass and production were assessed by sequential coring at three soil depths (organic layer, 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm mineral soil), whereas fine-root redistribution with depth was assessed by ingrowth cores. Total fine-root biomass, necromass and production in the controls were 458 ± 21 g m−2, 101 ± 9 g m−2 and 324 ± 33 g m−2 y−1, respectively. No significant difference at any depth was detected under N fertilization. Fine-root biomass in the organic layer decreased over time under N addition. At 10–20 cm in the mineral soil, fine-root biomass in ingrowth cores increased significantly after 1.5 y of N fertilization compared with the control. The increased available N may have induced the change in fine-root distribution to explore the deeper mineral soil for other nutrients which may cause additional limitation to above-ground production once N limitation is alleviated.

Fine root biomass and nutrient content in a black spruce peat soil with and without alder

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Bhatti ◽  
N. W. Foster ◽  
P. W. Hazlett
Keyword(s):  
Fine Roots ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Peat Soil ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Fine Root Biomass ◽  
Boreal Peatlands ◽  
Strong Positive Relationship

Vertical distribution of fine root biomass and nutrient content was examined within a black spruce (Picea mariana) stand growing on a boreal peat soil in northeastern Ontario. The influence of site physical and chemical properties on fine root biomass production was assessed. More then 80% of the fine roots were present in moss plus the top 10 cm of peat where nutrients and aeration are most favourable. The fine root biomass (W/V) was significantly higher with alder (5.9 kg m−3) (Alnus rugosa) as understory vegetation compared to non-alder locations (2.9 kg m−3). Total nutrient content in fine roots was 54, 3.2, 5.4, 63 and 5.7 kg ha−1 on the alder site and 20, 1.4, 2.3, 28 and 4.2 kg ha−1 of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg on the non-alder site, respectively. The mass (W/V) of nutrients in fine roots was strongly dependent upon the availability of nutrients in the peat. Fine root content had a strong positive relationship with peat available P and exchangeable K contents suggesting that P and K may be limiting nutrients for black spruce in this peat soil. Key words: Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, boreal peatlands, aeration, water table

scholarly journals Quantity and distribution of fine root biomass in the intermediate stage of beech virgin forest Badínsky prales

2009 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 11) ◽  
pp. 502-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Jaloviar ◽  
L. Bakošová ◽  
S. Kucbel ◽  
J. Vencurik
Keyword(s):  
Root Length ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Intermediate Stage ◽  
Fine Root Biomass ◽  
Virgin Forest ◽  
Fine Root Length

The fine root biomass represents 3,372 kg/ha in the intermediate stage of the beech virgin forest with different admixture of goat willow, where the vast majority of this biomass is located in the uppermost mineral soil layer 0–10 cm. The variability of the fine root biomass calculated from 35 sample points represents approximately 90% of the mean value and reaches the highest value within the humus layer. The total fine root length investigated in 10 cm thick soil layers decreases with increasing soil depth. A significant linear relationship between the fine root length (calculated per 1 cm thick soil layer and 1 m<sup>2</sup> of stand area) and the soil depth was confirmed, although the correlation is rather weak. The number of root tips decreases with increasing soil depth faster than the root length. As the number of tips per 1 cm of root length remains in the finest diameter class without significant changes, the reason is above all a decreased proportion of the finest root class (diameter up to 0.5 mm) from the total fine root length within the particular soil layer.

Fine root biomass in two black spruce stands in interior Alaska: effects of different permafrost conditions

Trees ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 441-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyotaro Noguchi ◽  
Yojiro Matsuura ◽  
Stephen D. Sparrow ◽  
Larry D. Hinzman
Keyword(s):  
Root Biomass ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Fine Root Biomass ◽  
Interior Alaska ◽  
Spruce Stands

Variation in postfire organic layer thickness in a black spruce forest complex in interior Alaska and its effects on soil temperature and moisture

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (9) ◽  
pp. 2164-2177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric S Kasischke ◽  
Jill F Johnstone
Keyword(s):  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Fire History ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Organic Layer ◽  
Layer Depth ◽  
Interior Alaska ◽  
Soil Temperature And Moisture

This study investigated the relationship between climate and landscape characteristics and surface fuel consumption as well as the effects of variations in postfire organic layer depth on soil temperature and moisture in a black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) forest complex in interior Alaska. Mineral soil moisture and temperature at the end of the growing season and organic layer depth were measured in three burns occurring in different years (1987, 1994, 1999) and in adjacent unburned stands. In unburned stands, average organic layer and humic layer depth increased with stand age. Mineral soil temperature and moisture varied as a function of the surface organic layer depth in unburned stands, indicating that as a stand matures, the moisture content of the deep duff layer is likely to increase as well. Fires reduced the depth of the surface organic layers by 5 to 24 cm. Within each burn we found that significant variations in levels of surface fuel consumption were related to several factors, including mineral soil texture, presence or absence of permafrost, and timing of the fires with respect to seasonal permafrost thaw. While seasonal weather patterns contribute to variations in fuel moisture and consumption during fires, interactions among the soil thermal regime, surface organic layer depth, and previous fire history are also important in controlling patterns of surface fuel consumption.

scholarly journals Estimating fine root longevity in a temperate Norway spruce forest using three independent methods

2009 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Gaul ◽  
Dietrich Hertel ◽  
Christoph Leuschner
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Root Diameter ◽  
Organic Layer ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Root Longevity ◽  
Fine Root Longevity

The importance of root systems for C cycling depends crucially on fine root longevity. We investigated mean values for fine root longevity with root diameter, root C/N ratio and soil depth using radiocarbon (14C) analyses in a temperate Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] forest. In addition, we applied sequential soil coring and minirhizotron observations to estimate fine root longevity in the organic layer of the same stand. The mean radiocarbon age of C in fine roots increased with depth from 5 years in the organic layer to 13 years in 40–60 cm mineral soil depth. Similarly, the C/N ratios of fine root samples were lowest in the organic layer with a mean value of 24 and increased with soil depth. Roots >0.5 mm in diameter tended to live longer than those being <0.5 mm in diameter. By far the strongest variability in fine root longevity estimates was due to the chosen method of investigation, with radiocarbon analyses yielding much higher estimates (5.4 years) than sequential soil coring (0.9 years) and minirhizotron observations (0.7 years). We conclude that sequential soil coring and minirhizotron observations are likely to underestimate mean fine root longevity, and radiocarbon analyses may lead to an overestimation of mean root longevity.

Dynamics and morphology of giant circular patterns of low tree density in black spruce stands in northern Quebec

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 420-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-François Giroux ◽  
Yves Bergeron ◽  
Jean J Veillette
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Tree Density ◽  
Surface Elevation ◽  
Organic Layer ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Spruce Mortality ◽  
Soil Measurements

Giant circular patterns of low tree density in black spruce (Picea mariana) stands were investigated in the Abitibi region of Quebec. We used dendrochronological techniques to test the hypotheses that ring patterns of low tree density are caused either by radial changes in spruce mortality or productivity. Seven circles were sampled. We found no gradient in the age of spruce along circle radii suggesting that rings of low tree density do not expand radially, that is, they are not spatially dynamic entities. The results indicate, however, that spruce trees were less dense and productive within the rings due to excessive moisture in the soil. Measurements of surface elevation, thickness of the organic layer and elevation of the mineral substrate across the circles revealed that a depression in the mineral soil beneath the rings traps the surface water and this area of poor drainage seems to prevent the establishment of black spruce within the rings. The origin of the ring-shaped depressions was attributed to geological or geomorphological causes.Key words: black spruce, Picea mariana, mortality, productivity, rings, geomorphology.

Spatiotemporal evolution of paludification associated with autogenic and allogenic factors in the black spruce–moss boreal forest of Québec, Canada

2019 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 650-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Éloïse Le Stum-Boivin ◽  
Gabriel Magnan ◽  
Michelle Garneau ◽  
Nicole J. Fenton ◽  
Pierre Grondin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Vegetation Dynamics ◽  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Fire History ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Organic Layer ◽  
Coniferous Species ◽  
Topographic Depressions

AbstractPaludification is the most common process of peatland formation in boreal regions. In this study, we investigated the autogenic (e.g., topography) and allogenic (fire and climate) factors triggering paludification in different geomorphological contexts (glaciolacustrine silty-clayey and fluvioglacial deposits) within the Québec black spruce (Picea mariana)–moss boreal forest. Paleoecological analyses were conducted along three toposequences varying from a forest on mineral soil to forested and semi-open peatlands. Plant macrofossil and charcoal analyses were performed on basal peat sections (≤50 cm) and thick forest humus (<40 cm) to reconstruct local vegetation dynamics and fire history involved in the paludification process. Results show that primary paludification started in small topographic depressions after land emergence ca. 8000 cal yr BP within rich fens. Lateral peatland expansion and secondary paludification into adjacent forests occurred between ca. 5100 and 2300 cal yr BP and resulted from low-severity fires during a climatic deterioration. Fires that reduced or eliminated entirely the organic layer promoted the establishment ofSphagnumin microdepressions. Paludification resulted in the decline of some coniferous species such asAbies balsameaandPinus banksiana. The paleoecological approach along toposequences allowed us to understand the spatiotemporal dynamics of paludification and its impacts on the vegetation dynamics over the Holocene.

scholarly journals Recovery of carbon pools a decade after wildfire in black spruce forests of interior Alaska: effects of soil texture and landscape position

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory P. Houle ◽  
Evan S. Kane ◽  
Eric S. Kasischke ◽  
Carolyn M. Gibson ◽  
Merritt R. Turetsky
Keyword(s):  
Soil Texture ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Carbon Stocks ◽  
Parent Material ◽  
Influential Factor ◽  
Landscape Position ◽  
Organic Layer ◽  
Fire Dynamics ◽  
Interior Alaska

We measured organic-layer (OL) recovery and carbon stocks in dead woody debris a decade after wildfire in black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) forests of interior Alaska. Previous study at these research plots has shown the strong role that landscape position plays in governing the proportion of OL consumed during fire and revegetation after fire. Here, we show that landscape position likely influences fire dynamics in these stands through changes in mineral soil texture. The content of fine-textured materials in underlying mineral soils was positively related to OL depths measured 1 and 10 years after fire, and there was an interaction between soil texture and elevation in governing OL consumption and OL recovery a decade following fire. OL depths 10 years after fire were 2 cm greater than 1 year after fire, with a range of 19 cm of accumulation to 9 cm of subsidence. Subsidence was inversely related to the percentage of fine textures within the parent material. The most influential factor determining the accumulation of OL carbon stocks a decade following wildfire was the interaction between landscape position and the presence of fine-textured soil. As such, parent material texture interacted with biological processes to govern the recovery of soil organic layers.

Effects of forest floor organic layer and root biomass on soil respiration following boreal forest fire

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 647-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Singh ◽  
B. D. Amiro ◽  
S. A. Quideau
Keyword(s):  
Soil Respiration ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Layer Thickness ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variation ◽  
Organic Layer ◽  
Grid Pattern ◽  
Significant Difference

Soil respiration and its spatial and temporal variation were studied at three boreal forest sites in central Saskatchewan, Canada, burned in 1998, 1989, and 1977. Soil respiration, soil temperature, and organic layer thickness were measured at 100 points in a grid pattern of 2 m × 2 m at each site in 2004 and 2005. The mean within-site spatial coefficient of variation was 35%, and the measurements were not spatially autocorrelated. We found no significant difference in variance between the two youngest sites (P > 0.05), whereas the older site showed significantly lower variance (P < 0.05). Soil respiration was not correlated with the forest floor organic layer thickness at any of the sites (R2 < 0.1). Removal of the forest floor layer reduced the soil respiration by 17% to 38%, depending on the site. Thus, the respiration from the mineral soil seemed to contribute a major fraction of the total soil respiration (62%–83%). Soil respiration was positively linearly related to the fine root biomass (R2 = 0.63–0.85, P < 0.05) at all sites. We conclude that variation in root biomass has a larger effect than differential forest floor organic layers on variation in soil respiration in young boreal postfire forests.

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