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Stem growth is favored at expenses of root growth in mixed stands and humid conditions for Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica)

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The study found an increased investment into stem growth (compared to root growth) if trees were surrounded by a complementary species. This response is consistent with known patterns about root–stem allometry under favorable conditions (humidity and stand density).

Abstract

The study investigated partitioning of resources between roots and stems in mono-species and mixed-species stands of Douglas-fir and European beech at four different sites. We combined tree ring analyses of stems and coarse roots to scrutinize root–stem allometry with a focus on how it is influenced by species mixture and humidity. The results show that allometry in mixed stands changed in favor of stem growth for both species. The greatest relative allocation into stem growth was observed for individual trees which were completely surrounded by trees of the other species. The data indicate that a decrease of stand density, which was used as a proxy for tree competition, has the same effect on allocation. To analyze the influence of humidity, we used a long- and short-term index. Based on these, we can show that allocation changes with general site conditions and annual humidity variations. We found that on both time scales, both species increase resource investment into stem growth if conditions are more humid. Under harsher conditions, allocation shifts into root growth. The findings contribute to understanding the overyielding in mixed stands. Mixing Douglas-fir and European beech leads to the same allocation patterns as an improvement of site conditions. We suggest that for both species, mixture is equivalent to growing on a better site.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the Bavarian State Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Forestry for providing the Funds of W44 ‘Douglas-fir—European beech mixed and pure stands’ (Grant Number 7831-22206-2013).

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  1. Chair for Forest Growth and Yield Science, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, D-85354, Freising, Germany

    Eric Andreas Thurm, Peter Biber & Hans Pretzsch

  2. Department of Soil and Climate, Bavarian State Insitute of Forestry, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 1, D-85354, Freising, Germany

    Eric Andreas Thurm

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  1. Eric Andreas Thurm
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Correspondence to Eric Andreas Thurm.

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Thurm, E.A., Biber, P. & Pretzsch, H. Stem growth is favored at expenses of root growth in mixed stands and humid conditions for Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica). Trees 31, 349–365 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-016-1512-4

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