European Journal of Forest Research

, Volume 124, Issue 3, pp 155–163 | Cite as

Estimating “autotrophic” belowground respiration in spruce and beech forests: decreases following girdling

  • Christian P. Andersen
  • Ivan Nikolov
  • Petia Nikolova
  • Rainer Matyssek
  • Karl-Heinz Häberle
Original Paper
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

Seasonal fluxes of CO2 from soil and the contribution of autotrophic (root + mycorrhizal) to total soil respiration (SR) were estimated for a mixed stand of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) in Central Europe. Mature trees of each species were girdled in August 2002 to eliminate carbohydrate allocation to roots. SR was measured at distances of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5/2.0 m from the bole of each tree at 1–2 weeks intervals throughout the fall of 2002 and monthly during the spring and summer of 2003. The contribution of roots and mycorrhizae to total SR was estimated by the decrease in SR compared to ungirdled control trees to account for seasonal patterns evident in controls. SR decreased with soil temperature in the fall 2002 and increased again in 2003 as soil warmed. During most of the study period, SR was strongly related to soil temperature. During the dry summer of 2003, however, SR appeared to be uncoupled from temperature and was strongly related to soil water content (SWC). Mean rates of SR in beech and spruce control plots as well as root densities did not show a clear pattern with distance from the bole. SR decreased to levels below controls in beech within a few days after girdling, whereas spruce did not show a significant decrease until October 2002, 6 weeks after girdling. In both beech and spruce, decreased SR in response to girdling was greatest closest to the bole, possibly reflecting increased mycorrhizal activity close to the bole. Autotrophic respiration was estimated in beech to be as much as 50% of the total SR in the stand. The contribution of autotrophic respiration was less certain for spruce, although close to the bole, the autotrophic fraction may contribute to total SR as much as in beech. The large fraction of autotrophic respiration in total SR requires better understanding of tree level stresses that affect carbon allocation below ground.

Keywords

Fagus sylvatica Picea abies Autotrophic (root + mycorrhizal) respiration Soil respiration Soil temperature Drought CO2 flux Girdling 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

The senior author gratefully acknowledges support from SFB 607 “Growth and Parasite Defense—Competition for Resources in Economic Plants from Agronomy and Forestry” funded to Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and the Technische Universität München. The authors also would like to thank the Bayerische LWF), especially W. Grimmeisen, G. Gietl, and Prof. Dr. T. Preuhsler, for supplying the precipitation and soil moisture data, and Carolyn Scagel and Robert Ozretich for helpful comments on an earlier version of this manuscript. The information in this article has been partially funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency. It has been subjected to the Agency’s peer and administrative review, and it has been approved for publication as an EPA document. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2005

Authors and Affiliations

  • Christian P. Andersen
    • 1
  • Ivan Nikolov
    • 2
  • Petia Nikolova
    • 2
  • Rainer Matyssek
    • 2
  • Karl-Heinz Häberle
    • 2
  1. 1.Western Ecology DivisionOffice of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection AgencyCorvallisUSA
  2. 2.Ecophysiology of PlantsTechnische Universität MünchenFreisingGermany

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