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Root development in simple and complex tropical successional ecosystems

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Abstract

Fine and coarse root mass and fine root surface area were studied during 5 yr following the felling and burning of a tropical forest near Turrialba, Costa Rica. Five experimental ecosystems were established: 1) natural successional vegetation, 2) successional vegetation enriched by seed applications, 3) imitation of succession (built by substituting investigator-selected species for natural colonizers), 4) monocultures (two maize crops followed by cassava andCordia alliodora), and 5) a bare plot.

Fine roots grew rapidly in all treatments during the first 15 wk, at which time there were 75 gm−2 in the monoculture and 140 gm−2 in the enriched and natural successions. Subsequent growth was slower, and fine-root mass decreased during the first dry season. After 5 yr coarse root mass to a depth of 85 cm was about 800, 1370, and 1530 gm−2 in the succession, enriched succession and imitation of succession, respectively. At the final harvest, the 3.5 yr-oldC. alliodora plantation had 1000 g m−2 of coarse-root biomass. Roots <1 mm in diameter were concentrated in the upper 5 cm of soil and accounted for most fine-root surface area. Total fine-root surface area was greatest in the enriched successional vegetation and usually lowest in the monoculture.

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  1. C. W. Berish

    Present address: Biology Department, Emory University, 30322, Atlanta, GA, USA

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  1. Department of Botany, University of Florida, 32611, Gainesville, FL, USA

    C. W. Berish & J. J. Ewel

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Berish, C.W., Ewel, J.J. Root development in simple and complex tropical successional ecosystems. Plant Soil 106, 73–84 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02371197

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