Tree root dynamics in montane and sub-alpine mixed forest patches

Abstract

The RER was largely driven by soil temperature and was lower in cold soils. At the treeline, ephemeral fine roots were more numerous, probably in order to compensate for the shorter growing season. Differences in soil climate and root dynamics between gaps and closed forest were marked at 1400 and 1700 m, but not at 2000 m, where canopy cover was more sparse. Therefore, heterogeneous forest structure and situation play a significant role in determining root demography in temperate, montane forests, mostly through impacts on soil temperature.

Rhizosphere bacteria are more strongly related to plant root traits than fungi in temperate montane forests: insights from closed and open forest patches along an elevational gradient

“…This patch-gap mosaic approach has been used to discern between abiotic and biotic mechanisms underlying the coexistence of phylogenetically related bacteria in a dryland environment (Goberna et al 2014) but to our knowledge, has never been used to study microbial communities along environmental gradients. A detailed description of selected sites can be found in Wang et al (2018a) and Mao et al (2015) and a complete description of species and abundance of herbs and trees in closed forest and gaps at the three elevations can be found in Table S1.…”

“…S2) with a portable thermistor thermometer (HI-93510N Hanna Instruments) in soil trenches adequately covered by insulation. Additionally, data from Wang et al (2018a) were used to include soil water potential (ѱ) in the microclimate and climate assessment (Table S2). These authors used electrical resistance blocks (WaterMark, IRROMETER Company, Inc., USA) installed in one gap and one closed forest at 1400 and 1700 m (but not at 2000 m as equipment was stolen) from September 10 th , 2012 to November 18 th , 2013.…”

The botanical multiverse of Peter Barlow

“…Root longevity was dependent on altitude and the season in which roots were initiated, and root diameter was a significant factor explaining much of the variability observed. The finest roots usually grew faster and had a higher risk of mortality in gaps than in closed forest, and at 2000 m, they had a higher risk of mortality compared to the lower altitudes [88]. Overall, heterogeneous forest structure and location play a significant role in determining root demography in temperate, montane forests, mostly through impacts on soil temperature.…”

“…Extending a consideration of roots to the natural setting of a forest of different tree species, but with an abiotic edaphic dimension, is the SIAB's paper by Wang et al (2018) [88]. Interested in the interactions between heterogeneous forests and their biophysical environment, these authors studied the impact of local climate upon tree physiology.…”

“…Interested in the interactions between heterogeneous forests and their biophysical environment, these authors studied the impact of local climate upon tree physiology. To do so they examined tree roots, and measured the number that were growing, their elongation and mortality through temporal and spatial variations in soil temperature and water potential [88]. They made these measurements every month over 4 years, using rhizotrons.…”