Effects of Tree Species Diversity on Fine Root Morphological Characteristics, Productivity and Turnover Rates

• Published in: Forests 2022-10, Vol.13 (10), p.1740
• Main Authors: Wang, Zhibao, Cai, Yongli, Liang, Jing, Zhong, Qicheng, Jiang, Hong, Lu, Xinghui, Gao, Xiangbin, Yu, Shouchao, Dai, Xiaojian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Correlation analysis; Distribution; Ecosystems; Environmental aspects; fine root morphological characteristics; fine root productivity; fine root turnover rate; Foraging behavior; Forest ecosystems; Forest productivity; Hypotheses; Legumes; Morphology; Nutrient cycles; Nutrients; Physical characteristics; Physicochemical properties; Physiological aspects; Plant diversity; Plant species; Productivity; Redundancy; Roots; Roots (Botany); Soil properties; Soils; Species diversity; Species richness; Terrestrial ecosystems; Trees; Turnover rate
• ISSN: 1999-4907; 1999-4907
• DOI: 10.3390/f13101740

Fine roots (φ ≤ 2 mm) play an important role in the process of material and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems, but the effect of tree species diversity on the functional characteristics of fine roots is unclear. In this study, 1−7 subtropical communities with different species richness were selected to study the morphological characteristics, productivity (PRO), and turnover rate (TUR) of fine roots by continuous soil core extraction, ingrowth soil core method, and root analysis system. The effects of tree species diversity on fine root morphological characteristics, PRO, and TUR are also analyzed. The results showed that with the increase in tree species diversity in the community, the effect of fine root morphological characteristics including specific root length (SRL) and specific surface area (SSA) of each community was not significant, but the fine root PRO in the community increased from 71.63 g·m−2·a−1 (Ligustrum lucidum pure forest) to 232.95 g·m−2·a−1 (Cinnamomum camphora mixed forest with seven species richness communities), and the fine root TUR increased from 0.539 times·a−1 to 0.747 times·a−1. Correlation analysis and redundancy analysis showed that species richness, root functional traits, and soil physicochemical properties were important driving factors affecting root characteristics. The increase in tree species diversity did not change the morphological characteristics of fine roots but increased the PRO and TUR of fine roots.