Belowground competition in a broad-leaved temperate mixed forest: pattern analysis and experiments in a four-species stand |
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| Authors: | Boris Rewald Christoph Leuschner |
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| Institution: | 1.Plant Ecology,University of G?ttingen,G?ttingen,Germany |
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| Abstract: | We investigated fine root biomass and distribution patterns in a species-rich temperate Carpinus–Quercus–Fagus–Tilia forest and searched for experimental evidence of symmetry or asymmetry in belowground competition. We conducted extensive
root coring and applied the recently introduced in situ-root growth chamber technique for quantifying fine root growth under
experimentally altered intra- and interspecific root neighbourhoods in the intact stand. In 75% of all soil cores, fine roots
of more than two tree species were present indicating a broad overlap of the root systems of neighbouring trees. Quercus trees had more than ten times less fine root biomass in relation to aboveground biomass or productivity (stem growth) and
a much higher leaf area index/root area index ratio than Carpinus, Fagus and Tilia trees. The root growth chamber experiments indicated a high belowground competitive ability of Fagus in interspecific interactions, but a low one of Quercus. We conclude that (1) interspecific root competition is ubiquitous in this mixed stand, (2) root competition between trees
can be clearly asymmetric, and (3) tree species may be ranked according to their belowground competitive ability. Fagus was found to be the most successful species in belowground competition which matches with its superiority in aboveground
competition in this forest community. |
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| Keywords: | Asymmetric belowground competition Central Germany European beech Fine root biomass Root distribution Hornbeam Linden Mixed species forest Sessile oak |
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