ALBERT — All Library Books, journals and Electronic Records Telegrafenberg

1

Electronic Resource

A global analysis of root distributions for terrestrial biomes (1996)

Jackson, R. B. ; Canadell, J. ; Ehleringer, J. R. ; [et al.]

Springer

Oecologia 108 (1996), S. 389-411

add to mindlist on the mindlist

Details

ISSN: 1432-1939

Keywords: Terrestrial biomes ; Cumulative root fraction ; Root biomass ; Rooting density ; Soil depth

Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Topics: Biology

Notes: Abstract Understanding and predicting ecosystem functioning (e.g., carbon and water fluxes) and the role of soils in carbon storage requires an accurate assessment of plant rooting distributions. Here, in a comprehensive literature synthesis, we analyze rooting patterns for terrestrial biomes and compare distributions for various plant functional groups. We compiled a database of 250 root studies, subdividing suitable results into 11 biomes, and fitted the depth coefficient β to the data for each biome (Gale and Grigal 1987). β is a simple numerical index of rooting distribution based on the asymptotic equation Y=1-βd, where d = depth and Y = the proportion of roots from the surface to depth d. High values of β correspond to a greater proportion of roots with depth. Tundra, boreal forest, and temperate grasslands showed the shallowest rooting profiles (β=0.913, 0.943, and 0.943, respectively), with 80–90% of roots in the top 30 cm of soil; deserts and temperate coniferous forests showed the deepest profiles (β=0.975 and 0.976, respectively) and had only 50% of their roots in the upper 30 cm. Standing root biomass varied by over an order of magnitude across biomes, from approximately 0.2 to 5 kg m-2. Tropical evergreen forests had the highest root biomass (5 kg m-2), but other forest biomes and sclerophyllous shrublands were of similar magnitude. Root biomass for croplands, deserts, tundra and grasslands was below 1.5 kg m-2. Root/shoot (R/S) ratios were highest for tundra, grasslands, and cold deserts (ranging from 4 to 7); forest ecosystems and croplands had the lowest R/S ratios (approximately 0.1 to 0.5). Comparing data across biomes for plant functional groups, grasses had 44% of their roots in the top 10 cm of soil. (β=0.952), while shrubs had only 21% in the same depth increment (β=0.978). The rooting distribution of all temperate and tropical trees was β=0.970 with 26% of roots in the top 10 cm and 60% in the top 30 cm. Overall, the globally averaged root distribution for all ecosystems was β=0.966 (r 2=0.89) with approximately 30%, 50%, and 75% of roots in the top 10 cm, 20 cm, and 40 cm, respectively. We discuss the merits and possible shortcomings of our analysis in the context of root biomass and root functioning.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00333714

Permalink

	Location	Call Number	Expected	Availability

Others were also interested in ...

Paper (German National Licenses)

Fulltext

2

Electronic Resource

Rooting depth, water availability, and vegetation cover along an aridity gradient in Patagonia (1996)

Schulze, E. -D. ; Mooney, H. A. ; Sala, O. E. ; [et al.]

Springer

Oecologia 108 (1996), S. 503-511

add to mindlist on the mindlist

Details

ISSN: 1432-1939

Keywords: Patagonia-vegetation ; Root distribution ; 13C-, 18O-, D-Isotope composition ; Water ; Plant succession

Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Topics: Biology

Notes: Abstract Above-and belowground biomass distribution, isotopic composition of soil and xylem water, and carbon isotope ratios were studied along an aridity gradient in Patagonia (44–45°S). Sites, ranging from those with Nothofagus forest with high annual rainfall (770 mm) to Nothofagus scrub (520 mm), Festuca (290 mm) and Stipa (160 mm) grasslands and into desert vegetation (125 mm), were chosen to test whether rooting depth compensates for low rainfall. Along this gradient, both mean above-and belowground biomass and leaf area index decreased, but average carbon isotope ratios of sun leaves remained constant (at-27‰), indicating no major differences in the ratio of assimilation to stomatal conductance at the time of leaf growth. The depth of the soil horizon that contained 90% of the root biomass was similar for forests and grasslands (about 0.80–0.50 m), but was shallower in the desert (0.30 m). In all habitats, roots reached water-saturated soils or ground water at 2–3 m depth. The depth profile of oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios of soil water corresponded inversely to volumetric soil water contents and showed distinct patterns throughout the soil profile due to evaporation, water uptake and rainfall events of the past year. The isotope ratios of soil water indicated that high soil moisture at 2–3 m soil depth had originated from rainy periods earlier in the season or even from past rainy seasons. Hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios of xylem water revealed that all plants used water from recent rain events in the topsoil and not from water-saturated soils at greater depth. However, this study cannot explain the vegetation zonation along the transect on the basis of water supply to the existing plant cover. Although water was accessible to roots in deeper soil layers in all habitats, as demonstrated by high soil moisture, earlier rain events were not fully utilized by the current plant cover during summer drought. The role of seedling establishment in determining species composition and vegetation type, and the indirect effect of seedling establishment on the use of water by fully developed plant cover, are discussed in relation to climate change and vegetation modelling.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00333727

Permalink

	Location	Call Number	Expected	Availability

Others were also interested in ...

Paper (German National Licenses)

Fulltext

3

Electronic Resource

Maximum rooting depth of vegetation types at the global scale (1996)

Canadell, J. ; Jackson, R. B. ; Ehleringer, J. B. ; [et al.]

Springer

Oecologia 108 (1996), S. 583-595

add to mindlist on the mindlist

Details

ISSN: 1432-1939

Keywords: Deep roots function ; Terrestrial vegetation ; Biomes ; Plant forms ; Root depth

Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Topics: Biology

Notes: Abstract The depth at which plants are able to grow roots has important implications for the whole ecosystem hydrological balance, as well as for carbon and nutrient cycling. Here we summarize what we know about the maximum rooting depth of species belonging to the major terrestrial biomes. We found 290 observations of maximum rooting depth in the literature which covered 253 woody and herbaceous species. Maximum rooting depth ranged from 0.3 m for some tundra species to 68 m for Boscia albitrunca in the central Kalahari; 194 species had roots at least 2 m deep, 50 species had roots at a depth of 5 m or more, and 22 species had roots as deep as 10 m or more. The average for the globe was 4.6±0.5 m. Maximum rooting depth by biome was 2.0±0.3 m for boreal forest. 2.1±0.2 m for cropland, 9.5±2.4 m for desert, 5.2±0.8 m for sclerophyllous shrubland and forest, 3.9±0.4 m for temperate coniferous forest, 2.9±0.2 m for temperate deciduous forest, 2.6±0.2 m for temperate grassland, 3.7±0.5 m for tropical deciduous forest, 7.3±2.8 m for tropical evergreen forest, 15.0±5.4 m for tropical grassland/savanna, and 0.5±0.1 m for tundra. Grouping all the species across biomes (except croplands) by three basic functional groups: trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, the maximum rooting depth was 7.0±1.2 m for trees, 5.1±0.8 m for shrubs, and 2.6±0.1 m for herbaceous plants. These data show that deep root habits are quite common in woody and herbaceous species across most of the terrestrial biomes, far deeper than the traditional view has held up to now. This finding has important implications for a better understanding of ecosystem function and its application in developing ecosystem models.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00329030

Permalink

	Location	Call Number	Expected	Availability

Others were also interested in ...

Paper (German National Licenses)

Fulltext

4

Electronic Resource

Diversity, metabolic types and δ13C carbon isotope ratios in the grass flora of Namibia in relation to growth form, precipitation and habitat conditions (1996)

Schulze, E. -D. ; Ellis, R. ; Schulze, W. ; [et al.]

Springer

Oecologia 106 (1996), S. 352-369

add to mindlist on the mindlist

Details

ISSN: 1432-1939

Keywords: C4 photosynthesis ; δ13C values ; Grass flora of Namibia ; Poaceae ; Geographic distribution

Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Topics: Biology

Notes: Abstract The grass flora of Namibia (374 species in 110 genera) shows surprisingly little variation in δ13C values along a rainfall gradient (50–600 mm) and in different habitat conditions. However, there are significant differences in the δ13C values between the metabolic types of the C4 photosynthetic pathway. NADP-ME-type C4 species exhibit the highest δ13C values (−11.7 ‰) and occur mainly in regions with high rainfall. NAD-ME-type C4 species have significantly lower δ13C values (−13.4 ‰) and dominate in the most arid part of the precipitation regime. PCK-type C4 species play an intermediate role (−12.5 ‰) and reach a maximum abundance in areas of intermediate precipitation. This pattern is also evident in genera containing species of different metabolic types. Within the same genus NAD species reach more negative δ13C values than PCK species and δ13C values decreased with rainfall. Also in Aristida, with NADP-ME-type photosynthesis, δ13C values decreased from −11 ‰ in the inland region (600 mm precipitation) to −15 ‰ near the coast (150 mm precipitation), which is a change in discrimination which is otherwise associated by a change in metabolism. The exceptional C3 species Eragrostis walteri and Panicum heterostachyum are coastal species experiencing 50 mm precipitation only. Many of the rare species and monotypic genera grow in moist habitats rather than in the desert, and they are not different in their carbon isotope ratios from the more common flora. The role of species diversity with respect to habitat occupation and carbon metabolism is discussed.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00334563

Permalink

	Location	Call Number	Expected	Availability

Others were also interested in ...

Paper (German National Licenses)

Fulltext

5

Electronic Resource

Decreased ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase in transgenic tobacco transformed with “antisense” rbcS (1992)

Quick, W. P. ; Fichtner, K. ; Schulze, E. -D. ; [et al.]

Springer

Planta 188 (1992), S. 522-531

add to mindlist on the mindlist

Details

ISSN: 1432-2048

Keywords: Nicotiana (photosynthesis) ; Nitrogen ; Photosynthesis (control analysis) ; Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase ; Transgenic plant

Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Topics: Biology

Notes: Abstract The effect of nitrogen supply during growth on the contribution of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco; EC 4.1.1.39) to the control of photosynthesis was examined in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.). Transgenic plants transformed with antisense rbcS to produce a series of plants with a progressive decrease in the amount of Rubisco were used to allow the calculation of the flux-control coefficient of Rubisco for photosynthesis (CR). Several points emerged from the data: (i) The strength of Rubisco control of photosynthesis, as measured by CR, was altered by changes in the short-term environmental conditions. Generally, CR was increased in conditions of increased irradiance or decreased CO2. (ii) The amount of Rubisco in wild-type plants was reduced as the nitrogen supply during growth was reduced and this was associated with an increase in CR. This implied that there was a specific reduction in the amount of Rubisco compared with other components of the photosynthetic machinery. (iii) Plants grown with low nitrogen and which had genetically reduced levels of Rubisco had a higher chlorophyll content and a lower chlorophyll a/b ratio than wild-type plants. This indicated that the nitrogen made available by genetically reducing the amount of Rubisco had been re-allocated to other cellular components including light-harvesting and electron-transport proteins. It is argued that there is a “luxury” additional investment of nitrogen into Rubisco in tobacco plants grown in high nitrogen, and that Rubisco can also be considered a nitrogen-store, all be it one where the opportunity cost of the nitrogen storage is higher than in a non-functional storage protein (i.e. it allows for a slightly higher water-use efficiency and for photosynthesis to respond to temporarily high irradiance).

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00197044

Permalink

	Location	Call Number	Expected	Availability

Others were also interested in ...

Paper (German National Licenses)

Fulltext

6

Electronic Resource

Transpiration and canopy conductance in a pristine broad-leaved forest of Nothofagus: an analysis of xylem sap flow and eddy correlation measurements (1992)

Köstner, B. M. M. ; Schulze, E. -D. ; Kelliher, F. M. ; [et al.]

Springer

Oecologia 91 (1992), S. 350-359

add to mindlist on the mindlist

Details

ISSN: 1432-1939

Keywords: Canopy conductance ; Canopy transpiration ; Xylem sap flow ; Humidity response of stomatal ; Nothofagus

Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Topics: Biology

Notes: Summary Tree transpiration was determined by xylem sap flow and eddy correlation measurements in a temperate broad-leaved forest of Nothofagus in New Zealand (tree height: up to 36 m, one-sided leaf area index: 7). Measurements were carried out on a plot which had similar stem circumference and basal area per ground area as the stand. Plot sap flux density agreed with tree canopy transpiration rate determined by the difference between above-canopy eddy correlation and forest floor lysimeter evaporation measurements. Daily sap flux varied by an order of magnitude among trees (2 to 87 kg day−1 tree−1). Over 50% of plot sap flux density originated from 3 of 14 trees which emerged 2 to 5 m above the canopy. Maximum tree transpiration rate was significantly correlated with tree height, stem sapwood area, and stem circumference. Use of water stored in the trees was minimal. It is estimated that during growth and crown development, Nothofagus allocates about 0.06 m of circumference of main tree trunk or 0.01 m2 of sapwood per kg of water transpired over one hour. Maximum total conductance for water vapour transfer (including canopy and aerodynamic conductance) of emergent trees, calculated from sap flux density and humidity measurements, was 9.5 mm s−1 that is equivalent to 112 mmol m−2 s−1 at the scale of the leaf. Artificially illuminated shoots measured in the stand with gas exchange chambers had maximum stomatal conductances of 280 mmol m−2 s−1 at the top and 150 mmol m−2 s−1 at the bottom of the canopy. The difference between canopy and leaf-level measurements is discussed with respect to effects of transpiration on humidity within the canopy. Maximum total conductance was significantly correlated with leaf nitrogen content. Mean carbon isotope ratio was −27.76±0.27‰ (average ±s.e.) indicating a moist environment. The effects of interactions between the canopy and the atmosphere on forest water use dynamics are shown by a fourfold variation in coupling of the tree canopy air saturation deficit to that of the overhead atmosphere on a typical fine day due to changes in stomatal conductance.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00317623

Permalink

	Location	Call Number	Expected	Availability

Others were also interested in ...

Paper (German National Licenses)

Fulltext

7

Electronic Resource

The effect of nitrogen nutrition on growth and biomass partitioning of annual plants originating from habitats of different nitrogen availability (1992)

Fichtner, K. ; Schulze, E. -D.

Springer

Oecologia 92 (1992), S. 236-241

add to mindlist on the mindlist

Details

ISSN: 1432-1939

Keywords: Annual plants ; Biomass partitioning ; Nitrogen nutrition ; Relative growth rate

Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Topics: Biology

Notes: Summary The hypothesis was tested that faster growth of nitrophilic plants at high nitrogen (N) nutrition is counterbalanced by faster growth of non-nitrophilic plants at low N-nutrition. Ten annual plant species were used which originated from habitats of different N-availability. The species' preference for N was quantified by the “N-number” of Ellenberg (1979), a relative measure of nitrophily. The plants were cultivated in a growth cabinet at five levels of ammonium-nitrate supply. At low N-supply, the relative growth rate (RGR) was independent of nitrophily. At high N-supply, RGR tended to be higher in nitrophilic than in non-nitrophilic species. However, the response of RGR to N-supply was strongly and positively correlated with the nitrophily of species. Increasing N-supply enhanced partitioning to leaf weight per total biomass (LWR) and increased plant leaf area per total biomass (LAR). Specific leaf weight (SLW) and LWR were both higher in non-nitrophilic than in nitrophilic species at all levels of N-nutrition. NAR (growth per leaf area or net assimilation rate) increased with nitrophily only under conditions of high N-supply. RGR correlated positively with LAR, irrespective of N-nutrition. Under conditions of high N-supply RGR correlated with SLW negatively and with NAR positively.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00317370

Permalink

	Location	Call Number	Expected	Availability

Others were also interested in ...

Paper (German National Licenses)

Fulltext

8

Electronic Resource

Vulnerability and adaptation of the larch forest in eastern Siberia to climate change (1996)

Kobak, K. I. ; Turcmnovich, I. Ye. ; Kondrasiheva, N. Yu. ; [et al.]

Springer

Water, air & soil pollution 92 (1996), S. 119-127

add to mindlist on the mindlist

Details

ISSN: 1573-2932

Keywords: Siberia ; forest

Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Topics: Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering

Notes: Abstract The most widely distributed coniferous forests in the world are the larch forests. In the Russian Federation they occupy 27.6 × 106 ha. In Siberia, the larch species Larix russica generally grows west of the Yenissei River, and Larix gmelinii grows to the east. The morphological and physiological features of L. gmelinii make it possible for this species to grow in the far north of eastern Siberia, where climate conditions are more severe: The range of air temperature fluctuations in this region is more than 100°C, from 38°C down to 64°C below zero. One of the major adaptions to unfavorable soil conditions is provided by a specific feature of root formation in L. gmelinii, in which the apex central root dies off at the permafrost border and a root system develops in upper soil layers. The major larch vulnerability factors are natural and anthropogenic fires and damage caused by insects, which become more frequent with hot and dry weather. The consequences of projected global warming could be both positive and negative for larch forests. Permafrost melting may result in improved soil nutrition in the areas the larch forests occupy, yet the frequency of forest fires and damage by pathogens are likely to increase. Global warming is expected to cause forest die back and increased areas of steppe in the southern regions of eastern Siberia.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00175558

Permalink