Development and growth of young black spruce (Picea mariana) trees under two different hydrological conditions

Abstract

Large areas in boreal forests are classified as peatlands, characterized by organic soils with a high water table. Black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) is one of the species capable of growing in this inauspicious environment, where an adaptation of the root system can be expected. We studied young black spruces growing in peat moss with two different hydrological conditions over a 19 years timespan: saturated and well-drained peat. We identified the initial and adventitious roots of the trees and compiled radial growth measurements of each root. The general growth pattern of the roots was identified and compared to the annual radial growth within the stem. We observed growth reductions during the first years after the planting shock, followed by a growth increase in the roots and stems for both hydrological conditions. The continuous formation of adventitious roots in trees growing in the saturated environment was the main adaptation noticed. The largest radial growth values were registered in the younger adventitious roots growing in saturated conditions. The lowest radial growth in the adventitious roots were registered in the well-drained condition. PCA analyses revealed the influence of root depth with regard to stem height and diameter at soil level. The black spruce trees displayed the required plasticity to form adventitious roots outside the range of the water table, allowing them a better access to oxygen and nutrients. This survival strategy implies to allocate a higher amount of energy to the root system instead of the aerial part of the tree in which overall productivity is low.