Diversity and species identity effects on fine root productivity and turnover in a species-rich temperate broad-leaved forest
Andreas Jacob A , Dietrich Hertel A and Christoph Leuschner A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Plant Ecology, Albrecht von Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Göttingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073 Göttingen, Germany.
B Corresponding author. Email: cleusch@gwdg.de
Functional Plant Biology 41(7) 678-689 https://doi.org/10.1071/FP13195
Submitted: 1 July 2013 Accepted: 20 January 2014 Published: 19 February 2014
Abstract
We investigated the evidence of belowground overyielding in a species-rich temperate broad-leaved forest with an ingrowth core study in 100 plots containing five common tree species (beech, lime, maple, hornbeam, ash) in mono-specific and 2-species or 3-species combinations. This design allowed separating diversity and species identity effects on root dynamics in a mature forest with long continuity. Fine root productivity was not significantly different between mono-specific and 2- or 3-species plots, whereas fine root turnover was significantly higher in the mixed than the mono-specific plots. Species identity effects on root turnover and root productivity were important. Ash achieved in the mixtures the highest fine root productivity and root turnover of all species; it is an apparent key species in this forest. Evidence in support of a diversity effect on fine root productivity and turnover was weak, however.
Additional keywords: belowground overyielding, Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, ingrowth cores, mixed stands, mono-specific stands, root longevity.
References
Beyer F, Hertel D, Jung K, Fender AC, Leuschner C (2013) Competition effects on fine root survival of Fagus sylvatica and Fraxinus excelsior. Forest Ecology and Management 302, 14–22.| Competition effects on fine root survival of Fagus sylvatica and Fraxinus excelsior.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brassard B, Chen H, Bergeron Y (2009) Influence of environmental variability on root dynamics in northern forests. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences 28, 179–197.
| Influence of environmental variability on root dynamics in northern forests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brassard B, Chen H, Bergeron Y, Paré D (2011) Differences in fine root productivity between mixed- and single-species stands. Functional Ecology 25, 238–246.
| Differences in fine root productivity between mixed- and single-species stands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brassard BW, Chen HYH, Cavard X, Laganière J, Reich PB, Bergeron Y, Paré D, Yuan Z (2013) Tree species diversity increases fine root productivity through increased soil volume filling. Journal of Ecology 101, 210–219.
| Tree species diversity increases fine root productivity through increased soil volume filling.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Comas LH, Eissenstat DM (2004) Linking fine root traits to maximum potential growth rate among 11 mature temperate tree species. Functional Ecology 18, 388–397.
| Linking fine root traits to maximum potential growth rate among 11 mature temperate tree species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Comas LH, Bouma TJ, Eissenstat DM (2002) Linking root traits to potential growth rate in six temperate tree species. Oecologia 132, 34–43.
| Linking root traits to potential growth rate in six temperate tree species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ellenberg H, Leuschner C (2010) ‘Vegetation Mitteleuropas mit den Alpen in ökologischer, dynamischer und historischer Sicht.’ 6th. edn. (Ulmer: Stuttgart, Germany)
Erskine P, Lamb D, Bristow M (2006) Tree species diversity and ecosystem function: can tropical multi-species plantations generate greater productivity? Forest Ecology and Management 233, 205–210.
| Tree species diversity and ecosystem function: can tropical multi-species plantations generate greater productivity?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fahey TJ, Bledsoe CS, Day FP, Ruess RW, Smucker AJM (1999) ‘Fine root production and demography. Standard soil methods for long-term ecological research.’ pp. 437–455. (Oxford University Press: New York)
Fogel R (1985) Roots as primary products in below-ground ecosystems. In ‘Ecological interactions in soil’. (Ed. AH Fitter) pp. 23–36. (Blackwell Scientific Publications: Oxford)
Fredericksen TS, Zedaker SM (1995) Fine root biomass, distribution, and production in young pine-hardwood stands. New Forests 10, 99–110.
Gamfeldt L, Snäll T, Bagchi R, Jonsson M, Gustafsson L, Kjellander P, Ruiz-Jaen MC, Fröberg M, Stendahl J, Philipson CD, Mikusiński G, Andersson E, Westerlund B, Andrén H, Moberg F, Moen J, Bengtsson J (2013) Higher levels of multiple ecosystem services are found in forests with more tree species. Nature Communications 4, 1340
| Higher levels of multiple ecosystem services are found in forests with more tree species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23299890PubMed |
Gebauer T, Horna V, Leuschner C (2012) Canopy transpiration of pure and mixed forest stands with variable abundance of European beech. Journal of Hydrology 442–443, 2–14.
| Canopy transpiration of pure and mixed forest stands with variable abundance of European beech.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Guckland A, Jacob M, Flessa H, Thomas FM, Leuschner C (2009) Acidity, nutrient stocks, and organic-matter content in soils of a temperate deciduous forest with different abundance of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 172, 500–511.
| Acidity, nutrient stocks, and organic-matter content in soils of a temperate deciduous forest with different abundance of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhtVSnsrvI&md5=9ca3123252174c228b86d8864fba4a5bCAS |
Hector A, Schmid B, Beierkuhnlein C, Caldeira MC, Diemer M, Dimitrakopoulos PG, Finn JA, Freitas H, Giller PS, Good J, Harris R, Högberg P, Huss-Danell K, Joshi J, Jumpponen A, Körner C, Leadley PW, Loreau M, Minns A, Mulder CPH, O’Donovan G, Otway SJ, Pereira JS, Prinz A, Read DJ, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Schulze ED, Siamantziouras ASD, Spehn EM, Terry AC, Troumbis AY, Woodward FI, Yachi S, Lawton JH (1999) Plant diversity and productivity experiments in European grasslands. Science 286, 1123–1127.
| Plant diversity and productivity experiments in European grasslands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXnt1Kltr4%3D&md5=deb2e911cf7ca31569c190eb08294699CAS | 10550043PubMed |
Hendricks JJ, Hendrick RL, Wilson CA, Mitchell RJ, Pecot SD, Guo D (2006) Assessing the patterns and controls of fine root dynamics: an empirical test and methodological review. Journal of Ecology 94, 40–57.
| Assessing the patterns and controls of fine root dynamics: an empirical test and methodological review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hertel D (1999) Das Feinwurzelsystem von Rein- und Mischbeständen der Rotbuche: Struktur, Dynamik und interspezifische Konkurrenz. PhD thesis, University of Göttingen, Göttingen.
Hertel D, Leuschner C (2002) A comparison of four different fine root production estimates with ecosystem carbon balance data in a Fagus–Quercus mixed forest. Plant and Soil 239, 237–251.
| A comparison of four different fine root production estimates with ecosystem carbon balance data in a Fagus–Quercus mixed forest.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XktFWisbc%3D&md5=aa65332fd460bea479af5603af91c6fbCAS |
Hertel D, Leuschner C (2006) The in situ root chamber: a novel tool for the experimental analysis of root competition in forest soils. Pedobiologia 50, 217–224.
| The in situ root chamber: a novel tool for the experimental analysis of root competition in forest soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
IUSS Working group WRB (2007) ‘World reference base for soil resources 2006, first update 2007.’ (FAO: Rome)
Jackson RB, Mooney HA, Schulze E-D (1997) A global budget for fine root biomass, surface area, and nutrient contents. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 94, 7362–7366.
Jacob M, Leuschner C, Thomas FM (2010) Productivity of temperate broad-leaved forest stands differing in tree species diversity. Annals of Forest Science 67, 503
| Productivity of temperate broad-leaved forest stands differing in tree species diversity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jacob A, Hertel D, Leuschner C (2013) On the significance of belowground overyielding in temperate mixed forests: separating species identity and species diversity effects. Oikos 122, 463–473.
| On the significance of belowground overyielding in temperate mixed forests: separating species identity and species diversity effects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kelty M (1992) Comparative productivity of monocultures and mixed-species stands. ‘The ecology and silviculture of mixed-species forests’. (Eds M Kelty, B Larson, C Oliver) pp. 125–141. (Kluwer Academic Publishers: Dordrecht, the Netherlands)
Kelty M (2006) The role of species mixtures in plantation forestry. Forest Ecology and Management 233, 195–204.
| The role of species mixtures in plantation forestry.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Krämer I, Hölscher D (2010) Soil water dynamics along a tree diversity gradient in a deciduous forest in Central Germany. Ecohydrology 3, 262–271.
| Soil water dynamics along a tree diversity gradient in a deciduous forest in Central Germany.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Langenbruch C, Helfrich M, Flessa H (2012) Effects of beech (Fagus sylvatica), ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and lime (Tilia spec.) on soil chemical properties in a mixed deciduous forest. Plant and Soil 352, 389–403.
| Effects of beech (Fagus sylvatica), ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and lime (Tilia spec.) on soil chemical properties in a mixed deciduous forest.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38Xjs1Ols7k%3D&md5=83b0eb225377768d7b0bc57a2fdcb2c3CAS |
Lei P, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Bauhus J (2012a) The effect of tree species diversity on fine-root production in a young temperate forest. Oecologia 169, 1105–1115.
| The effect of tree species diversity on fine-root production in a young temperate forest.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22298110PubMed |
Lei P, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Bauhus J (2012b) Belowground facilitation and competition in young tree species mixtures. Forest Ecology and Management 265, 191–200.
| Belowground facilitation and competition in young tree species mixtures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Leuschner C, Hertel D, Coners H, Büttner V (2001) Root competition between beech and oak: a hypothesis. Oecologia 126, 276–284.
| Root competition between beech and oak: a hypothesis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Leuschner C, Jungkunst H, Fleck S (2009) Functional role of forest diversity: pros and cons of synthetic stands and across-site comparisons in established forests. Basic and Applied Ecology 10, 1–9.
| Functional role of forest diversity: pros and cons of synthetic stands and across-site comparisons in established forests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Long JN, Shaw JD (2010) The influence of compositional and structural diversity on forest productivity. Forestry 83, 121–128.
| The influence of compositional and structural diversity on forest productivity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Loreau M, Hector A (2001) Partitioning selection and complementarity in biodiversity experiments. Nature 412, 72–76.
| Partitioning selection and complementarity in biodiversity experiments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXlt1Crtbc%3D&md5=70c43ae2edf4bf46b0e8ac0cf14d95a5CAS | 11452308PubMed |
Majdi H (1996) Root sampling methods – applications and limitations of the minirhizotron technique. Plant and Soil 185, 255–258.
| Root sampling methods – applications and limitations of the minirhizotron technique.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXnsVSjsA%3D%3D&md5=8eae33ded66b270f111570bfe7431ad1CAS |
McKay HM, Malcolm DC (1988) A comparison of the fine root component of a pure and a mixed coniferous stand. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 18, 1416–1426.
| A comparison of the fine root component of a pure and a mixed coniferous stand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Meinen C, Hertel D, Leuschner C (2009a) Root growth and recovery in temperate broad-leaved forest stands differing in tree species diversity. Ecosystems 12, 1103–1116.
| Root growth and recovery in temperate broad-leaved forest stands differing in tree species diversity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Meinen C, Hertel D, Leuschner C (2009b) Biomass and morphology of fine roots in temperate broad-leaved forests differing in tree species diversity: is there evidence for below-ground overyielding? Oecologia 161, 99–111.
| Biomass and morphology of fine roots in temperate broad-leaved forests differing in tree species diversity: is there evidence for below-ground overyielding?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19415337PubMed |
Morin X, Fahse L, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Bugmann H (2011) Tree species richness promotes productivity in temperate forests through strong complementarity between species. Ecology Letters 14, 1211–1219.
| Tree species richness promotes productivity in temperate forests through strong complementarity between species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21955682PubMed |
Oelmann Y, Potvin C, Mark T, Werther L, Tapernon S, Wilcke W (2010) Tree mixture effects on aboveground nutrient pools of trees in an experimental plantation in Panama. Plant and Soil 326, 199–212.
| Tree mixture effects on aboveground nutrient pools of trees in an experimental plantation in Panama.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhsFGrt7jF&md5=786aae0d311935da0c4a7e6ce0046775CAS |
Paquette A, Messier C (2011) The effect of biodiversity on tree productivity: from temperate to boreal forests. Global Ecology and Biogeography 20, 170–180.
| The effect of biodiversity on tree productivity: from temperate to boreal forests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Persson H (1978) Root dynamics in a young Scots pine stand in Central Sweden. Oikos 30, 508–519.
| Root dynamics in a young Scots pine stand in Central Sweden.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Persson H (1980) Fine-root production, mortality and decomposition in forest ecosystems. Vegetatio 41, 101–109.
| Fine-root production, mortality and decomposition in forest ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Persson HÅ (1983) The distribution and productivity of fine roots in boreal forests. Plant and Soil 71, 87–101.
| The distribution and productivity of fine roots in boreal forests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Potvin C, Gotelli NJ (2008) Biodiversity enhances individual performance but does not affect survivorship in tropical trees. Ecology Letters 11, 217–223.
| Biodiversity enhances individual performance but does not affect survivorship in tropical trees.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18254730PubMed |
Powell S, Day F (1991) Root production in 4 communities in the Great Dismal Swamp. American Journal of Botany 78, 288–297.
| Root production in 4 communities in the Great Dismal Swamp.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pregitzer KS, Hendrick RL, Fogel R (1993) The demography of fine roots in response to patches of water and nitrogen. New Phytologist 125, 575–580.
| The demography of fine roots in response to patches of water and nitrogen.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pregitzer KS, DeForest JL, Burton AJ, Allen MF, Ruess RW, Hendrick RL (2002) Fine root architecture of nine North American trees. Ecological Monographs 72, 293–309.
| Fine root architecture of nine North American trees.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pretzsch H, Schütze G (2009) Transgressive overyielding in mixed compared with pure stands of Norway spruce and European beech in Central Europe: evidence on stand level and explanation on individual tree level. European Journal of Forest Research 128, 183–204.
| Transgressive overyielding in mixed compared with pure stands of Norway spruce and European beech in Central Europe: evidence on stand level and explanation on individual tree level.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rasse DP, Rumpel D, Dignac MF (2005) Is soil carbon mostly root carbon? Mechanisms for a specific stabilisation. Plant and Soil 269, 341–356.
| Is soil carbon mostly root carbon? Mechanisms for a specific stabilisation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXks1Oju7c%3D&md5=123301d65b81ddca8094bbbf0c5af2afCAS |
Rewald B, Leuschner C (2009) Does root competition asymmetry increase with water availability? Plant Ecology & Diversity 2, 255–264.
| Does root competition asymmetry increase with water availability?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Roscher C, Temperton VM, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Schmitz M, Schumacher J, Schmid B, Buchmann N, Weisser WW, Schulze ED (2005) Overyielding in experimental grassland communities – irrespective of species pool or spatial scale. Ecology Letters 8, 419–429.
| Overyielding in experimental grassland communities – irrespective of species pool or spatial scale.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Scherer-Lorenzen M, Körner C, Schulze ED (2005) The functional significance of forest diversity: a synthesis. ‘Forest diversity and function, ecological studies’. (Eds M Scherer-Lorenzen, C Körner, ED Schulze) pp. 377–390. (Springer: Berlin, Germany)
Scherer-Lorenzen M, Schulze ED, Don A, Schumacher J, Weller E (2007) Exploring the functional significance of forest diversity: a new long-term experiment with temperate tree species (BIOTREE). Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 9, 53–70.
| Exploring the functional significance of forest diversity: a new long-term experiment with temperate tree species (BIOTREE).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schleuß P-M, Heitkamp F, Leuschner C, Fender A-C, Jungkunst HF (2014) Higher subsoil carbon storage in species-rich than species-poor temperate forests. Environmental Research Letters (in press).
Szwagrzyk J, Gazda A (2007) Above-ground standing biomass and tree species diversity in natural stands of Central Europe. Journal of Vegetation Science 18, 555–562.
| Above-ground standing biomass and tree species diversity in natural stands of Central Europe.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tilman D (2001) Diversity and productivity in a long-term grassland experiment. Science 294, 843–845.
| Diversity and productivity in a long-term grassland experiment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXotVChsb0%3D&md5=1948d72fe4708a20ef98ce82c8292197CAS | 11679667PubMed |
Uselman SM, Qualls RG, Lilienfein J (2007) Fine root production across a primary successional ecosystem chronosequence at Mt Shasta, California. Ecosystems 10, 703–717.
| Fine root production across a primary successional ecosystem chronosequence at Mt Shasta, California.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXhtFejs7nO&md5=4bb45792ed9a42b92313f4e6d49e0389CAS |
Uselman SM, Qualls RG, Lilienfein J (2012) Quality of soluble organic C, N, and P produced by different types and species of litter: root litter versus leaf litter. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 54, 57–67.
| Quality of soluble organic C, N, and P produced by different types and species of litter: root litter versus leaf litter.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhtVSlsb7O&md5=1cdfadede60dde42efa2d00add474249CAS |
Vila M, Inchausti P, Vayreda J, Barrantes O, Gracia C, Ibanez J, Mata T (2005) Confounding factors in the observational productivity-diversity relationship in forests. ‘Forest diversity and function, ecological studies’. (Eds M Scherer-Lorenzen, C Körner, ED Schulze) pp. 65–86. (Springer: Berlin, Germany)
Vilà M, Vayreda J, Comas L, Ibáñez JJ, Mata T, Obón B (2007) Species richness and wood production: a positive association in Mediterranean forests. Ecology Letters 10, 241–250.
| Species richness and wood production: a positive association in Mediterranean forests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17305807PubMed |
Vilà M, Carrillo-Gavilán A, Vayreda J, Bugmann H, Fridman J, Grodzki W, Haase J, Kunstler G, Schelhaas MJ, Trasobares A (2013) Disentangling biodiversity and climatic determinants of wood production. PLoS ONE 8, e53530
| Disentangling biodiversity and climatic determinants of wood production.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23437038PubMed |
Withington JM, Reich PB, Oleksyn J, Eissenstat DM (2006) Comparisons of structure and life span in roots and leaves among temperate trees. Ecological Monographs 76, 381–397.
| Comparisons of structure and life span in roots and leaves among temperate trees.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Yachi S, Loreau M (1999) Biodiversity and ecosystem productivity in a fluctuating environment: the insurance hypothesis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 96, 1463–1468.
| Biodiversity and ecosystem productivity in a fluctuating environment: the insurance hypothesis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXhsFSru78%3D&md5=d7fcb4f8d983f4dc18e855d591495c14CAS | 9990046PubMed |
Yuan ZY, Chen HYH (2012) Fine root dynamics with stand development in the boreal forest. Functional Ecology 26, 991–998.
| Fine root dynamics with stand development in the boreal forest.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
