Skip to main content
Log in

Fine Root Dynamics in a Tropical Rain Forest is Influenced by Rainfall

  • Published:
Plant and Soil Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Quantifying patterns of fine root dynamics is crucial to the understanding of ecosystem structure and function, and in predicting how ecosystems respond to disturbance. Part of this understanding involves consideration of the carbon lost through root turnover. In the context of the rainfall pattern in the tropics, it was hypothesised that rainfall would strongly influence fine root biomass and longevity. A field study was conducted to determine root biomass, elemental composition and the influence of rainfall on longevity of fine roots in a tropical lowland evergreen rainforest at Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia. A combination of root coring, elemental analysis and rhizotron observation methods were used. Fine (less than 2 mm diameter) root biomass was relatively low (1700 kg ha −1) compared with previously described rainforest data. Standing root biomass was positively correlated with preceding rainfall, and the low fine root biomass in the dry season contained higher concentrations of N and lower concentrations of P and K than at other times. Observations on rhizotrons demonstrated that the decrease in fine root biomass in the dry season was a product of both a decrease in fine root length appearance and an increase in fine root length disappearance. Fitting an overall model to root survival time showed significant effects of rainfall preceding root disappearance, with the hazard of root disappearance decreasing by 8 for each 1 mm increase in the average daily (30 day) rainfall preceding root disappearance. While it is acknowledged that other factors have a part to play, this work demonstrates the importance of rainfall and soil moisture in influencing root biomass and root disappearance in this tropical rainforest.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen S E (1989) Chemical analysis of ecological materials. Blackwell Scientific Publications

  • LJ Anderson LH Comas AN. Lakso DM Eissenstat (2003) ArticleTitleMultiple risk factors in root survivorship: a 4 year study in Concord grape New Phytol. 158 489–501 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1469-8137.2003.00757.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asamoah T E O (1984) Fruit tree root systems. Effect of nursery and orchard management and some consequences for growth, nutrient and water uptake. PhD thesis, University of London

  • Atkinson D., Dawson L A (2001) Root Growth: Methods of measurement Soil and Environmental Analysis. 2nd ed. K A Smith and C E Mullins. Marcel Dekker, New York

  • CW Berish (1982) ArticleTitleRoot biomass and surface area in three successional tropical forests Can. J. For. Res. 12 699–704

    Google Scholar 

  • CW. Berish JJ Ewel (1988) ArticleTitleRoot development in simple and complex tropical successional ecosystems Plant Soil 106 73–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Burghouts TBA (1993) Spatial Heterogeneity of Nutrient Cycling in Bornean Rain Forest. PhD Thesis, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam

  • MK. Burke DJ Raynal (1994) ArticleTitleFine root growth phenology, production and turnover in a northern hardwood forest ecosystem Plant Soil 162 135–146 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01416099 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXlslymu7g%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cavelier J (1989) Root Biomass, Production and the Effect of Fertilisation in Two Tropical Rain Forests. PhD thesis, University of Cambridge

  • J Cavelier (1992) ArticleTitleFine root and soil properties in a semi-deciduous and a lower montane rain forest in Panama Plant Soil 142 187–201 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK38Xks12jtLs%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • J Cavelier SJ. Wright J Santamaria (1999) ArticleTitleEffects of irrigation on litterfall, fine root biomass and production in a semidecidous lowland forest in Panama Plant Soil 211 207–213 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1004686204235 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXntlKisLs%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • B Cote WH Hendershot JW Fyles AG Roy R Bradley PM. Biron F Courchesne (1998) ArticleTitleThe phenology of fine root growth in a maple dominated ecosystem: relationships with some soil properties Plant Soil 201 59–69 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXltVGqsLk%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dawkins HC (1958) The management of natural tropical high forest with special reference to Uganda. Commonwealth Forestry Institute Paper. 34

  • DM Eissenstat CE Wells RD. Yanai JL. Whitbeck (2000) ArticleTitleBuilding roots in a changing environment: implications for root longevity New Phytol. 147 33–42 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1469-8137.2000.00686.x Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXms1ylt70%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • DM. Eissenstat RD Yanai (1997) ArticleTitleThe ecology of root lifespan Adv Ecol. Res. 27 2–60

    Google Scholar 

  • TJ. Fahey JW Hughes (1994) ArticleTitleFine root dynamics in a northern hardwood forest ecosystem, Hunnard Brook Experimental Forest N H. J. Ecol. 82 533–548

    Google Scholar 

  • Fogel R. (1991) Root system demography and production in forest ecosystems. In: Atkinson D. (ed). Plant Root Growth: An Ecological Perspective Special Publication No 10 of the British Ecological Society

  • ST Gower (1987) ArticleTitleRelations between mineral nutrient availability and fine root biomass in two Costa Rican tropical wet forests: a hypothesis Biotropica 19 171–175

    Google Scholar 

  • Green J J (1992) Fine Root Dynamics in a Bornean Rain Forest PhD thesis, University of Stirling. Hendrick R L., Pregitzer K S 1992 Spatial variation in tree root distribution and growth associated with minirhizotrons. Plant Soil 143, 283-288

    Google Scholar 

  • RL. Hendrick KS Pregitzer (1996) ArticleTitleTemporal and depth related patterns of the fine root dynamics in northern hardwood forests J. Ecol. 84 167–176

    Google Scholar 

  • JD Joslin MH. Wolfe PJ Hanson (2001) ArticleTitleFactors controlling the timing of root elongation intensity in a mature upland oak stand Plant Soil 228 201–212 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1004866705021

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • T. Kavanagh M Kellman (1992) ArticleTitleSeasonal pattern of fine root proliferation in a tropical dry forest Biotropica 24 157–165

    Google Scholar 

  • MR. Keyes CC Grier (1981) ArticleTitleAbove and below ground root production in 40 year old Douglas fir stands in low and high productivity sites Can. J. For Res 11 599–605

    Google Scholar 

  • JS King TJ Albaugh HL Allen M. Buford BR Strain (2002) ArticleTitleSeasonal dynamics of fine roots relative to foliage and stem growth in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) as affected by water and nutrient availability New Phytol 154 389–398 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1469-8137.2002.00393.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • H Klinge (1975) ArticleTitleRoot mass estimation in lowland tropical rain forests of central Amazonia, Brazil: III Nutrients in fine roots from giant humus podzols Trop. Ecol. 16 28–38 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaE2sXkt1Wnsbs%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • GW Lawson K. Armstrong-Mensah JB Hall (1970) ArticleTitleA catena in tropical moist semi-deciduous forest near Kade, Ghana J. Ecol 58 371–398

    Google Scholar 

  • ET Lee (1992) Statistical methods for survival data analysis Wiley New York 482

    Google Scholar 

  • B Lopez S. Sabate C Gracia (1998) ArticleTitleFine root dynamics in a Mediterranean forest: effects of drought and stem density Tree Physiol 18 601–606 Occurrence Handle12651348

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • CA McClaugherty JD. Aber JM Melillo (1982) ArticleTitleThe role of fine roots in the organic matter and nitrogen budgets of two forested ecosystems Ecology 63 1481–1490

    Google Scholar 

  • M. McGroddy WL Silver (2000) ArticleTitleVariations in belowground carbon storage and soil CO2 flux rates along a wet tropical climate gradient Biotropica 32 614–624

    Google Scholar 

  • HM. McKay DC Malcolm (1988) ArticleTitleA comparison of the fine root component of a pure and mixed coniferous stand Can. J. For Res. 18 1416–1426

    Google Scholar 

  • H. Majdi J Ohrvik (2004) ArticleTitleInteractive effects of soil warming and fertilization on root production, mortality and longevity in a Norway spruce stand in Northern Sweden Global Change Biol. 10 182–188 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1365-2486.2004.00733.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • KJ Nadelhoffer JD. Aber JM Melillo (1985) ArticleTitleFine roots, net primary production and soil nitrogen availability: A new hypothesis Ecology 66 1377–1390

    Google Scholar 

  • EKS Nambiar (1987) ArticleTitleDo nutrients retranslocate from fine roots? Can. J. For. Res. 17 913–918

    Google Scholar 

  • Newbery DM, Campbell EJF, Lee YF., Ridscale CE (1992) Primary lowland dipterocarp forest at Danum valley, Sabah, Malaysia: structure, relative abundance and family composition Phil. Trans. Royal Soc. London B 335

  • N. Nomura K Kikuzawa (2003) ArticleTitleProductive phenology of tropical montane forests: fertilization experiments along a moisture gradient Ecol. Res. 18 573–586 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1440-1703.2003.00579.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • GB. North PS Noble (1991) ArticleTitleChanges in hydraulic conductivity and anatomy caused by drying and rewetting roots of Agave deserti (Agavacae) Am. J. Bot. 78 906–915

    Google Scholar 

  • KS Pregitzer RL. Hendrick R Fogel (1993) ArticleTitleThe demography of fine roots in response to patches of water and nitrogen New Phytol 125 575–580

    Google Scholar 

  • KS Pregitzer (2002) ArticleTitleFine roots of trees-a new perspective New Phytol 154 267–273 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1469-8137.2002.00413_1.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • KS Pregitzer (2003) ArticleTitleWoody plants, carbon allocation and fine roots New Phytol 158 421–424 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1469-8137.2003.00766.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • KS Pregitzer DR Zak PS Curtis ME Kubiske JA. Teerie CS. Vogel (1995) ArticleTitleAtmospheric CO2 soil nitrogen and turnover of fine roots New Phytol. 129 579–585

    Google Scholar 

  • KS Pregitzer MJ Laskowski AJ Burton VC. Lessard DR Zak (1998) ArticleTitleVariation in sugar maple root respiration with root diameter and soil depth Tree Physiol. 18 665–670 Occurrence Handle12651416

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Proctor J (1984) Tropical forest litterfall. II The data set. Tropical Rain-Forest: The Leeds Symposium eds S L Sutton., A C Chawick Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford

  • JW Raich (1980) ArticleTitleFine roots regrow rapidly after forest felling Biotropica. 12 231–232

    Google Scholar 

  • JW. Raich RJ Nadelhoffer (1989) ArticleTitleBelow-ground carbon allocations in forest ecosystems: Global trends Ecology 70 1346–1354

    Google Scholar 

  • PB Reich MB Walters MG Tjoelker D. Vanderklein C Buschena (1998) ArticleTitlePhotosynthesis and respiration rates depend on leaf and root morphology and nitrogen concentration in nine boreal tree species differing in relative growth rate Funct. Ecol 12 395–405

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds SG (1970) The gravimetric method of soil moisture determination. J. Hydrol. 11, 258-273, 274-287, 288-300

  • I. Sanchez-Gallen J Alvarez-Sanchez (1996) ArticleTitleRoot productivity in a lowland tropical forest in Mexico Vegetatio 123 109–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanford RL Jnr (1985) Root Ecology of Mature and Successional Amazonian Forests. PhD thesis, University of Califormia, Berkley

  • Jnr Sanford RL (1989) ArticleTitleFine root biomass under a tropical forest light gap opening in Costa Rica J. Trop. Ecol. 5 251–256

    Google Scholar 

  • JJ. Schuurman MAJ Goedewaagen (1971) Methods for the examination of root systems and roots Pudoc Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • WL. Silver KA Vogt (1993) ArticleTitleFine root dynamics following single and multiple disturbances in a subtropical wet forest ecosystem J. Ecol. 81 729–738

    Google Scholar 

  • PM. Vitousek RL Sanford Jnr (1986) ArticleTitleNutrient cycling in moist tropical forests Ann. Rev. Ecol. System. 17 137–167 Occurrence Handle10.1146/annurev.es.17.110186.001033

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • KA Vogt DJ Vogt PA Palmiotto P Boon J. Ohara H Asbjornsen (1996) ArticleTitleReview of root dynamics in forest ecosystems grouped by climate, climatic forest type and species Plant Soil 187 159–219 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXjt12qsLg%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • KA Vogt DA Publicover J Bloomfield JM Perez DA. Vogt WL Silver (1993) ArticleTitleBelowground responses as indicators of environmental change Environ. Exp. Bot. 33 189–205 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0098-8472(93)90065-N Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXhvVOktLg%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • JB. Yavitt SJ Wright (2001) ArticleTitleDrought and irrigation effects on fine root dynamics in a tropical moist forest, Panama Biotropica 33 421–434

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Zhang WJ Davies (1990) ArticleTitleAbscisic acid produced in dehydrating roots may enable the plant to measure the water stress status of the soil Plant Cell Environ. 12 73–81

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Green, J.J., Dawson, L.A., Proctor, J. et al. Fine Root Dynamics in a Tropical Rain Forest is Influenced by Rainfall. Plant Soil 276, 23–32 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-004-0331-3

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-004-0331-3

Keywords

Navigation