Abstract
Air warming (TC: control; TW: +3 °C) and precipitation manipulation (PC: control; PD: −30%; PI: +30%) were established to examine effects of these treatments on fine root production (FRP), fine root mortality (FRM), and total root (coarse and fine root) biomass in 33- to 59-month-old Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. seedlings for two years. We hypothesized that warming and altered precipitation would affect the growth, death, and biomass of fine roots by changing soil temperature and soil water availability. Mean annual FRP and total root biomass were significantly altered by only precipitation manipulation: they were 29.3% (during the two-year period) and 69.0% (after the entire two years) higher, respectively, in PD plots than in PC plots, respectively. In contrast, only warming had a significant effect on mean annual FRM, being 13.2% lower in TW plots than TC plots during the two-year period. Meanwhile, fine root biomass was affected negatively and simultaneously by both soil temperature and soil moisture. It seemed that fine root dynamics have changed so that they maintain their systems in response to the altered soil temperature and moisture. The current study adds significant knowledge for understanding the fine root dynamics of P. densiflora seedlings under altered temperature and precipitation regimes.
Highlights
It is expected that global mean temperature and precipitation are going to increase by +1.1 to +4.8 ◦ C, and decrease or increase −50 to +50%, respectively, by the turn of this century [1]
(7–76%) is assigned to fine root dynamics, such as fine root production and fine root mortality, in forests, though fine root biomass comprises a small portion of total biomass [7,8]
This study examined initial changes in the fine root dynamics of P. densiflora seedlings under warming and precipitation manipulation over a two-year period
Summary
It is expected that global mean temperature and precipitation are going to increase by +1.1 to +4.8 ◦ C, and decrease or increase −50 to +50%, respectively, by the turn of this century [1]. The interactions between changed air or soil temperatures and precipitation levels are expected to have significant consequences for below-ground dynamics, such as root dynamics, root respiration, and microbial decomposition, as well as for above-ground ecophysiological processes [4]. Plant roots are a crucial structure connecting above- and below-ground carbon (C) systems, and perform a critical role in plant productivity and the control of below-ground C dynamics [5]. Fine roots are the main structures linking nutrient and water absorption, C process, and microbial communities in below-ground ecosystems [6]. A large amount of net primary production (7–76%) is assigned to fine root dynamics, such as fine root production and fine root mortality, in forests, though fine root biomass comprises a small portion of total biomass [7,8]
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