Fine-root distributions of Central European forest soils and their interaction with site and soil properties.

摘要

Fine-root distributions (FRDs) of forest stands are hypothesized to be a reflection of the influence of site properties on the intrinsic rooting strategies of trees. Based on forest soil survey data, we present a multivariate approach to identify the main parameters of FRD patterns of Central European forests, compare them with the FRD model according to Gale and Grigal (1987), and aim to detect the decisive site and soil properties. Two main parameters for the description of FRDs were found: one describes "shallowness" and the other additionally characterizes "divergence" from an evenly decreasing FRD with depth. With these two parameters, distinct FRD patterns could be described better than with absolute values of depth-dependent fine-root densities or with the compared FRD model. Comparing all sites, no significant differences occurred regarding stand types for most of the analysed fine-root parameters. Specific site and soil properties were seemingly more responsible for the expression of FRD. Results of multivariate analyses suggest that the shape of FRDs is mainly a reflection of the trees' strategy to optimally adapt to the local soil physical and hydrological conditions. Soil chemical properties were of increased relevance when sites with either spruce or beech were analysed and for the prediction of uneven FRDs. The applied soil survey design enabled us to identify parameters, which can describe FRD patterns and how they are influenced by several soil and site properties in general. These multivariate relationships should be considered and discussed in the context of ecological forest models in further research.