Characteristics of Fine Roots of Pinus massoniana in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China
Several studies have focused on fine roots characteristics because they provide a major pathway for nutrient cycling and energy flow in forest ecosystems. However, few studies have evaluated changes in fine root characteristics according to their diameter. Pinus massoniana forests are the main veget...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2017-05-01
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| Series: | Forests |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/8/6/183 |
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| author | Yafei Shen Na Wang Ruimei Cheng Wenfa Xiao Shao Yang Yan Guo Lei Lei Lixiong Zeng Xiaorong Wang |
| author_facet | Yafei Shen Na Wang Ruimei Cheng Wenfa Xiao Shao Yang Yan Guo Lei Lei Lixiong Zeng Xiaorong Wang |
| author_sort | Yafei Shen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Several studies have focused on fine roots characteristics because they provide a major pathway for nutrient cycling and energy flow in forest ecosystems. However, few studies have evaluated changes in fine root characteristics according to their diameter. Pinus massoniana forests are the main vegetative component in the Three Gorges Reservoir area and play an important role in providing forest resources and ecological services. Pinus massoniana fine roots were sorted into 0–0.5, 0.5–1, and 1–2 mm diameter classes, and their fine root standing biomass (FRB), necromass, annual production and decomposition rates were determined and correlated with soil characteristics. These fine roots in three diameter classes significantly differed in their initial carbon (C), C/N ratio, FRB, necromass, annual C and N production and decomposition rate. The production and decomposition of these different diameter classes varied significantly with soil variables including soil temperature, moisture, calcium and ammonium concentration but the strength of these interactions varied dependent on diameter class. The very fine roots had a faster decomposition ratio than larger fine roots due to the lower N content, higher C/N ratio and higher sensitivity to soil environmental factors. These results clearly indicate heterogeneity among fine roots of different diameters, and these variations should be taken into account when studying fine root characteristics and their role in the C cycle. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T09:23:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-629e0712bf2a46d48a4d7fb4270a32b8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T09:23:18Z |
| publishDate | 2017-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-629e0712bf2a46d48a4d7fb4270a32b82022-12-22T02:52:31ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072017-05-018618310.3390/f8060183f8060183Characteristics of Fine Roots of Pinus massoniana in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, ChinaYafei Shen0Na Wang1Ruimei Cheng2Wenfa Xiao3Shao Yang4Yan Guo5Lei Lei6Lixiong Zeng7Xiaorong Wang8Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment, State Forestry Administration; Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, ChinaKey Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment, State Forestry Administration; Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, ChinaKey Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment, State Forestry Administration; Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, ChinaKey Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment, State Forestry Administration; Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, ChinaKey Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment, State Forestry Administration; Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, ChinaKey Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment, State Forestry Administration; Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, ChinaKey Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment, State Forestry Administration; Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, ChinaKey Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment, State Forestry Administration; Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, ChinaKey Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment, State Forestry Administration; Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, ChinaSeveral studies have focused on fine roots characteristics because they provide a major pathway for nutrient cycling and energy flow in forest ecosystems. However, few studies have evaluated changes in fine root characteristics according to their diameter. Pinus massoniana forests are the main vegetative component in the Three Gorges Reservoir area and play an important role in providing forest resources and ecological services. Pinus massoniana fine roots were sorted into 0–0.5, 0.5–1, and 1–2 mm diameter classes, and their fine root standing biomass (FRB), necromass, annual production and decomposition rates were determined and correlated with soil characteristics. These fine roots in three diameter classes significantly differed in their initial carbon (C), C/N ratio, FRB, necromass, annual C and N production and decomposition rate. The production and decomposition of these different diameter classes varied significantly with soil variables including soil temperature, moisture, calcium and ammonium concentration but the strength of these interactions varied dependent on diameter class. The very fine roots had a faster decomposition ratio than larger fine roots due to the lower N content, higher C/N ratio and higher sensitivity to soil environmental factors. These results clearly indicate heterogeneity among fine roots of different diameters, and these variations should be taken into account when studying fine root characteristics and their role in the C cycle.http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/8/6/183Pinus massonianafine rootsize classroot decomposition rateThe Three Gorges Reservoir Area |
| spellingShingle | Yafei Shen Na Wang Ruimei Cheng Wenfa Xiao Shao Yang Yan Guo Lei Lei Lixiong Zeng Xiaorong Wang Characteristics of Fine Roots of Pinus massoniana in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China Forests Pinus massoniana fine root size class root decomposition rate The Three Gorges Reservoir Area |
| title | Characteristics of Fine Roots of Pinus massoniana in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China |
| title_full | Characteristics of Fine Roots of Pinus massoniana in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China |
| title_fullStr | Characteristics of Fine Roots of Pinus massoniana in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characteristics of Fine Roots of Pinus massoniana in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China |
| title_short | Characteristics of Fine Roots of Pinus massoniana in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China |
| title_sort | characteristics of fine roots of pinus massoniana in the three gorges reservoir area china |
| topic | Pinus massoniana fine root size class root decomposition rate The Three Gorges Reservoir Area |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/8/6/183 |
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