Peculiarities in the Development of the Tree Root System in Post-Agricultural Forest Communities
摘要
The mass of fine (up to 2 mm in diameter) roots of woody species and the patterns of their distribution across the soil profile in post-agricultural forest communities in the middle taiga of Karelia, Russia, have been studied. The characteristics of the forest sites were determined in sampling plots established following conventional procedures. The root mass was determined by the soil monolith method. Analysis showed that young communities developed a greater mass of fine roots compared to older stands. The total root biomass of the top mineral layer of soil was higher than in the forest floor. In most cases, both coniferous and deciduous roots prevailed in the mineral soil layer. A relationship between the fine root mass and the basal area was identified.