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Interspecific competition impacts on the morphology and distribution of fine roots in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.)

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Abstract

Morphology and vertical distribution patterns of spruce and beech live fine roots (diameter ≤2 mm) were studied using a soil core method in three comparable mature stands in the Solling: (1) pure beech, (2) pure spruce and (3) mixed spruce–beech. This study was aimed at determining the effects of interspecific competition on fine root structure and spatial fine root distribution of both species. A vertical stratification of beech and spruce fine root systems was found in the mixed stand due to a shift in beech fine roots from upper to lower soil layers. Moreover, compared to pure beech, a significantly higher specific root length (SRL, P<0.05) and specific surface area (SSA, P<0.05) were found for beech admixed with spruce (pure beech/mixed beech SRL 16.1–23.4 m g−1, SSA 286–367 cm2 g−1). Both indicate a flexible ‘foraging’ strategy of beech tending to increase soil exploitation and space sequestration efficiency in soil layers less occupied by competitors. Spruce, in contrast, followed a more conservative strategy keeping the shallow vertical rooting and the root morphology quite constant in both pure and mixed stands (pure spruce/mixed spruce SRL 9.6/7.7 m g−1, P>0.10; SSA 225/212 cm2 g−1, P>0.10). Symmetric competition belowground between mixed beech and spruce was observed since live fine roots of both species were under-represented compared to pure stand. However, the higher space sequestration efficiency suggests a higher competitive ability of beech belowground.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Technology within the cooperative project ‘Indicators and strategies of a sustainable, multi-functional forestry—case study Solling’ (BMBF FKZ 033947C/3) conducted by the Forest Ecosystem Research Centre at Göttingen University. The authors are grateful to Andreas Parth, Institute of Silviculture at Göttingen University, for his skilful help in sampling, sorting and processing the fine roots and Dr. Steffen Rust, Dresden University of Technology, Institute of Forest Botany and Forest Zoology at Tharandt and Dr. Matts Lindbladh, SLU, Southern Forest Research Centre at Alnarp (Sweden) for comments on a previous draft of the manuscript.

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  1. Institute of Silviculture, Dept. I, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Büsgenweg 1, 37077, Göttingen, Germany

    A. Bolte & I. Villanueva

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  1. A. Bolte
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Bolte, A., Villanueva, I. Interspecific competition impacts on the morphology and distribution of fine roots in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). Eur J Forest Res 125, 15–26 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-005-0075-5

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