Fine root dynamics in three central Himalayan high elevation forests ranging from closed canopied to open-canopied treeline vegetation

Abstract

Fine root biomass, rates of dry matter production and nutrients dynamics were estimated for 1 year in three high elevation forests of the Indian central Himalaya. Fine root biomass and productivity were higher in closed canopied cappadocian maple forest (9.92 Mg ha−1 and 6.34 Mg ha−1 year−1, respectively), followed by Himalayan birch forest (6.35 Mg ha−1 and 4.44 Mg ha−1 year−1) and Bell rhododendron forest (6.23 Mg ha−1 and 2.94 Mg ha−1 year−1). Both fine root biomass and productivity declined with an increase in elevation. Across the sites, fine root biomass was maximal in fall and minimal in summer. In all sites, maximum nutrient concentration in fine roots was in the rainy season and minimum in winter. Fine root biomass per unit basal area was positively related with elevation, Bell rhododendron forest having the largest fine root biomass per unit of basal area (0.53 Mg m−2) and cappadocian maple the least (0.18 Mg m−2). The production efficiency of fine roots per unit of leaf biomass also increased with elevation and ranged from 1.13 g g−1 leaf mass year−1 in cappadocian maple forest to 1.28 g g−1 leaf mass year−1 in Bell rhododendron forest. Present fine root turnover estimates showed a decline towards higher elevations (0.72 year−1 in cappadocian maple and 0.58 year−1 in Bell rhododendron forest) and are higher than global estimates (0.52).