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Individual-based fine root biomass and its functional relationship with leaf for Pinus tabuliformis in northern China

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Abstract

Root biomass plays an essential role in carbon sequestration at both individual and ecosystem scales, yet few feasible methods for measuring root biomass of individual trees have been developed. We sampled 11 trees in a pure 20-year-old Pinus tabuliformis plantation to estimate total root, fine root and leaf biomass of individual trees using the nested regression method. The relationships between fine root biomass and surface area as well as leaf biomass and area were examined across tree sizes. Fine roots of P. tabuliformis were estimated to consume 40 % of the net primary production for turnover, and absorbed a total of 1364 g m−2 year−1 of major nutrients. A significant linear relationship was determined between roots and leaves in terms of both biomass and surface area. The findings added weight to the concept that the functional balance theory is applicable to even-aged mature trees of P. tabuliformis.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Chong Sun, Xiaoqing Meng, Lichao Tao and Chunwang Luo for valuable support on fieldwork. Thanks also go to anonymous reviewers who gave us valuable suggestions. The research was supported by National hi-tech research and development plan, No. 2013AA122003.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Forest Cultivation, Department of Forest Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China

    Quanquan Jia, Qijing Liu & Junqing Li

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  1. Quanquan Jia
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  2. Qijing Liu
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  3. Junqing Li
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Correspondence to Qijing Liu.

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Communicated by Aaron R Weiskittel.

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Jia, Q., Liu, Q. & Li, J. Individual-based fine root biomass and its functional relationship with leaf for Pinus tabuliformis in northern China. Eur J Forest Res 134, 705–714 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-015-0884-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-015-0884-0

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