Memorias de investigación
Research Publications in journals:
Unearthing the roots of degradation of Quercus pyrenaica coppices: A root-to-shoot imbalance caused by historical management?
Year:2016

Research Areas
  • Coppiced woodland,
  • Meditarranean forest,
  • Deciduous tree,
  • Forestry holding,
  • Plants and animal biology and ecology,
  • Plant physiology,
  • Plant ecology,
  • Anthropogenic impact on ecosystems

Information
Abstract
Slow growth, branch dieback and scarce acorn yield are visible symptoms of decay in abandoned Quercus pyrenaica coppices. A hypothetical root-to-shoot (R:S) imbalance provoked by historical coppicing is investigated as the underlying driver of stand degradation. After stem genotyping, 12 stems belonging to two clones covering 81 and 16 m2 were harvested and excavated to measure above- and belowground biomass and nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) pools. To study root system functionality, root connections and root longevity were assessed by radiocarbon analysis. Seasonality of NSC was monitored on five additional clones. NSC pools, R:S biomass ratio and fine roots-to-foliage ratio were higher in the large clone, whose centennial root system, estimated to be 550 years old, maintained large amounts of sapwood (51.8%) for NSC storage. 248 root connections were observed within the large clone, whereas the small clone showed comparatively simpler root structure (26 connections). NSC concentrations were higher in spring (before bud burst) and autumn (before leaf fall), and lower in summer (after complete leaf expansion); they were always higher in roots than in stems or twigs. The persistence of massive and highly inter-connected root systems after coppicing may lead to increasing R:S biomass ratios and root NSC pools over time. We highlight the need of surveying belowground organs to understand aboveground dynamics of Q. pyrenaica, and suggest that enhanced belowground NSC storage and consumption reflect a trade-off between clonal vegetative resilience and aboveground performance.
International
Si
JCR
Si
Title
Forest Ecology And Management
ISBN
0378-1127
Impact factor JCR
2,826
Impact info
Datos JCR del año 2015
Volume
363
10.1016/j.foreco.2015.12.040 0378-1127
Journal number
From page
200
To page
211
Month
SIN MES
Ranking
Participants

Research Group, Departaments and Institutes related
  • Creador: Departamento: Sistemas y Recursos Naturales