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Dahlsjö CA, Atkins T, Malhi Y. Large invertebrate decomposers contribute to faster leaf litter decomposition in Fraxinus excelsior-dominated habitats: Implications of ash dieback. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27228. [PMID: 38495134 PMCID: PMC10943353 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Leaf litter decomposition is a major component of nutrient cycling which depends on the quality and quantity of the leaf material. Ash trees (Fraxinus excelsior, decay time ∼ 0.4 years) are declining throughout Europe due to a fungal pathogen (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus), which is likely to alter biochemical cycling across the continent. The ecological impact of losing species with fast decomposing leaves is not well quantified. In this study we examine how decomposition of three leaf species with varying decomposition rates including ash, sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus, decay time ∼ 1.4 years), and beech (Fagus sylvatica, decay time ∼ 6.8 years) differ in habitats with and without ash as the dominant overstorey species. Ten plots (40 m × 40 m) were set up in five locations representing ash dominated and non-ash dominated habitats. In each plot mesh bags (30 cm × 30 cm, 0.5 mm aperture) with a single leaf species (5 g) were used to include (large holes added) and exclude macrofauna invertebrates (with a focus on decomposer organisms such as earthworms, millipedes, and woodlice). The mesh bags were installed in October 2020 and retrieved without replacement at exponential intervals after 6, 12, 24 and 48 weeks. Total leaf mass loss was highest in the ash dominated habitat (ash dominated: 88.5%, non-ash dominated: 66.5%) where macrofauna were the main contributor (macrofauna: 96%, microorganisms/mesofauna: 4%). The difference between macrofauna vs microorganisms and mesofauna was less pronounced in the non-ash dominated habitat (macrofauna: 68%, microorganisms/mesofauna: 31%). Our results suggest that if ash dominated habitats are replaced by species such as sycamore, beech, and oak, the role of macrofauna decomposers will be reduced and leaf litter decomposition rates will decrease by 25%. These results provide important insights for future ash dieback management decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia A.L. Dahlsjö
- School of Geography and the Environment, South Parks Road, OX1 3QY, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Thomas Atkins
- School of Geography and the Environment, South Parks Road, OX1 3QY, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Yadvinder Malhi
- School of Geography and the Environment, South Parks Road, OX1 3QY, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
- Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, University of Oxford, UK
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2
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Ziegler C, Kulawska A, Kourmouli A, Hamilton L, Shi Z, MacKenzie AR, Dyson RJ, Johnston IG. Quantification and uncertainty of root growth stimulation by elevated CO 2 in a mature temperate deciduous forest. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 854:158661. [PMID: 36096230 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Increasing CO2 levels are a major global challenge, and the potential mitigation of anthropogenic CO2 emissions by natural carbon sinks remains poorly understood. The uptake of elevated CO2 (eCO2) by the terrestrial biosphere, and subsequent sequestration as biomass in ecosystems, remain hard to quantify in natural ecosystems. Here, we combine field observations of fine root stocks and flows, derived from belowground imaging and soil cores, with image analysis, stochastic modelling, and statistical inference, to elucidate belowground root dynamics in a mature temperate deciduous forest under free-air eCO2 to 150 ppm above ambient levels. eCO2 led to relatively faster root production (a peak volume fold change of 4.52 ± 0.44 eCO2 versus 2.58 ± 0.21 control), with increased root elongation relative to decay the likely causal mechanism for this acceleration. Physical analysis of 552 root systems from soil cores support this picture, with lengths and widths of fine roots significantly increasing under eCO2. Estimated fine root contributions to belowground net primary productivity increase under eCO2 (mean annual 204 ± 93 g dw m-2 yr-1 eCO2 versus 140 ± 60 g dw m-2 yr-1 control). This multi-faceted approach thus sheds quantitative light on the challenging characterisation of the eCO2 response of root biomass in mature temperate forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Ziegler
- Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Aleksandra Kulawska
- Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Angeliki Kourmouli
- Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Liz Hamilton
- Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Zongbo Shi
- Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - A Rob MacKenzie
- Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Rosemary J Dyson
- Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; School of Mathematics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Iain G Johnston
- Department of Mathematics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Computational Biology Unit, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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3
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Jones AG, Clymans W, Palmer DJ, Crockatt ME. Revaluating forest drought experiments according to future precipitation patterns, ecosystem carbon and decomposition rate responses: A meta-analysis. AMBIO 2022; 51:1227-1238. [PMID: 34697767 PMCID: PMC8931167 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-021-01645-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Moisture availability is a strong determinant of decomposition rates in forests worldwide. Climate models suggest that many terrestrial ecosystems are at risk from future droughts, suggesting moisture limiting conditions will develop across a range of forests worldwide. The impacts of increasing drought conditions on forest carbon (C) fluxes due to shifts in organic matter decay rates may be poorly characterised due to limited experimental research. To appraise this question, we conducted a meta-analysis of forest drought experiment studies worldwide, examining spatial limits, knowledge gaps and potential biases. To identify limits to experimental knowledge, we projected the global distribution of forest drought experiments against spatially modelled estimates of (i) future precipitation change, (ii) ecosystem total above-ground C and (iii) soil C storage. Our assessment, involving 115 individual experimental study locations, found a mismatch between the distribution of forest drought experiments and regions with higher levels of future drought risk and C storage, such as Central America, Amazonia, the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, equatorial Africa and Indonesia. Decomposition rate responses in litter and soil were also relatively under-studied, with only 30 experiments specifically examining the potential experimental impacts of drought on C fluxes from soil or litter. We propose new approaches for engaging experimentally with forest drought research, utilising standardised protocols to appraise the impacts of drought on the C cycle, while targeting the most vulnerable and relevant forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan G. Jones
- Earthwatch Institute, Mayfield House, 256 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7DE UK
- Scion, Titokorangi Drive, Private Bag 3020, Rotorua, 3046 New Zealand
| | - Wim Clymans
- Earthwatch Institute, Mayfield House, 256 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7DE UK
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - David J. Palmer
- Scion, Titokorangi Drive, Private Bag 3020, Rotorua, 3046 New Zealand
| | - Martha E. Crockatt
- Earthwatch Institute, Mayfield House, 256 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7DE UK
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4
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Gonzalez‐Akre E, Piponiot C, Lepore M, Herrmann V, Lutz JA, Baltzer JL, Dick CW, Gilbert GS, He F, Heym M, Huerta AI, Jansen PA, Johnson DJ, Knapp N, Král K, Lin D, Malhi Y, McMahon SM, Myers JA, Orwig D, Rodríguez‐Hernández DI, Russo SE, Shue J, Wang X, Wolf A, Yang T, Davies SJ, Anderson‐Teixeira KJ. allodb
: An R package for biomass estimation at globally distributed extratropical forest plots. Methods Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Erika Gonzalez‐Akre
- Conservation Ecology Center Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute Front Royal VA USA
| | - Camille Piponiot
- Conservation Ecology Center Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute Front Royal VA USA
- Forest Global Earth Observatory Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Panama Panama
- UR Forests and Societies Cirad Univ Montpellier Montpellier France
| | - Mauro Lepore
- Forest Global Earth Observatory Smithsonian Institution Washington DC USA
| | - Valentine Herrmann
- Conservation Ecology Center Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute Front Royal VA USA
| | - James A. Lutz
- Wildland Resources Department Utah State University Logan UT USA
| | | | | | - Gregory S. Gilbert
- Department of Environmental Studies University of California Santa Cruz CA USA
| | - Fangliang He
- Biodiversity & Landscape Modeling Group University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
| | - Michael Heym
- Faculty of Forest Science and Resource Management Technical University of Munich Freising Germany
| | - Alejandra I. Huerta
- Deptartment of Entomology and Plant Pathology North Carolina State University Raleigh NC USA
| | - Patrick A. Jansen
- Forest Global Earth Observatory Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Panama Panama
- Department of Environmental Sciences Wageningen University Wageningen Netherlands
| | - Daniel J. Johnson
- School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
| | - Nikolai Knapp
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ Leipzig Germany
- Thünen Institute of Forest Ecosystems Eberswalde Germany
| | - Kamil Král
- Department of Forest Ecology Silva Tarouca Research Institute Brno Czech Republic
| | - Dunmei Lin
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco‐Environment, Ministry of Education Chongqing University Chongqing China
| | - Yadvinder Malhi
- School of Geography and the Environment University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Sabrina E. Russo
- School of Biological Sciences University of Nebraska Lincoln NE USA
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln Lincoln NE USA
| | - Jessica Shue
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Edgewater MD USA
| | - Xugao Wang
- Institute of Applied Ecology Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenyang China
| | - Amy Wolf
- Natural & Applied Sciences University of Wisconsin Green Bay WI USA
| | - Tonghui Yang
- Forestry Institute Ningbo Academy of Agricultural Science Ningbo China
| | - Stuart J. Davies
- Forest Global Earth Observatory Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Panama Panama
| | - Kristina J. Anderson‐Teixeira
- Conservation Ecology Center Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute Front Royal VA USA
- Forest Global Earth Observatory Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Panama Panama
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Visakorpi K, Gripenberg S, Malhi Y, Bolas C, Oliveras I, Harris N, Rifai S, Riutta T. Small-scale indirect plant responses to insect herbivory could have major impacts on canopy photosynthesis and isoprene emission. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2018; 220:799-810. [PMID: 30047151 DOI: 10.1111/nph.15338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Insect herbivores cause substantial changes in the leaves they attack, but their effects on the ecophysiology of neighbouring, nondamaged leaves have never been quantified in natural canopies. We studied how winter moth (Operophtera brumata), a common herbivore in temperate forests, affects the photosynthetic and isoprene emission rates of its host plant, the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur). Through a manipulative experiment, we measured leaves on shoots damaged by caterpillars or mechanically by cutting, or left completely intact. To quantify the effects at the canopy scale, we surveyed the extent and patterns of leaf area loss in the canopy. Herbivory reduced photosynthesis both in damaged leaves and in their intact neighbours. Isoprene emission rates significantly increased after mechanical leaf damage. When scaled up to canopy-level, herbivory reduced photosynthesis by 48 ± 10%. The indirect effects of herbivory on photosynthesis in undamaged leaves (40%) were much more important than the direct effects of leaf area loss (6%). If widespread across other plant-herbivore systems, these findings suggest that insect herbivory has major and previously underappreciated influences in modifying ecosystem carbon cycling, with potential effects on atmospheric chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristiina Visakorpi
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QY, UK
| | - Sofia Gripenberg
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| | - Yadvinder Malhi
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QY, UK
| | - Conor Bolas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Imma Oliveras
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QY, UK
| | - Neil Harris
- Centre for Atmospheric Informatics and Emissions Technology, Cranfield University, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Sami Rifai
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QY, UK
| | - Terhi Riutta
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QY, UK
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Bréchet LM, Lopez-Sangil L, George C, Birkett AJ, Baxendale C, Castro Trujillo B, Sayer EJ. Distinct responses of soil respiration to experimental litter manipulation in temperate woodland and tropical forest. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:3787-3796. [PMID: 29686858 PMCID: PMC5901162 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Global change is affecting primary productivity in forests worldwide, and this, in turn, will alter long‐term carbon (C) sequestration in wooded ecosystems. On one hand, increased primary productivity, for example, in response to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), can result in greater inputs of organic matter to the soil, which could increase C sequestration belowground. On other hand, many of the interactions between plants and microorganisms that determine soil C dynamics are poorly characterized, and additional inputs of plant material, such as leaf litter, can result in the mineralization of soil organic matter, and the release of soil C as CO2 during so‐called “priming effects”. Until now, very few studies made direct comparison of changes in soil C dynamics in response to altered plant inputs in different wooded ecosystems. We addressed this with a cross‐continental study with litter removal and addition treatments in a temperate woodland (Wytham Woods) and lowland tropical forest (Gigante forest) to compare the consequences of increased litterfall on soil respiration in two distinct wooded ecosystems. Mean soil respiration was almost twice as high at Gigante (5.0 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1) than at Wytham (2.7 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1) but surprisingly, litter manipulation treatments had a greater and more immediate effect on soil respiration at Wytham. We measured a 30% increase in soil respiration in response to litter addition treatments at Wytham, compared to a 10% increase at Gigante. Importantly, despite higher soil respiration rates at Gigante, priming effects were stronger and more consistent at Wytham. Our results suggest that in situ priming effects in wooded ecosystems track seasonality in litterfall and soil respiration but the amount of soil C released by priming is not proportional to rates of soil respiration. Instead, priming effects may be promoted by larger inputs of organic matter combined with slower turnover rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laëtitia M Bréchet
- Department of Biology Plants and Ecosystems (PLECO) research group in the research Centre of Excellence: "Global Change Ecology" University of Antwerp Wilrijk Belgium.,Lancaster Environment Centre Lancaster University Lancaster UK
| | - Luis Lopez-Sangil
- Lancaster Environment Centre Lancaster University Lancaster UK.,Teagasc Environmental Research Centre, Johnstown Castle Co. Wexford Ireland
| | | | - Ali J Birkett
- Lancaster Environment Centre Lancaster University Lancaster UK
| | | | | | - Emma J Sayer
- Lancaster Environment Centre Lancaster University Lancaster UK.,Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Panama City Panama.,School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences The Open University Milton Keynes UK
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7
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Lopez‐Sangil L, George C, Medina‐Barcenas E, Birkett AJ, Baxendale C, Bréchet LM, Estradera‐Gumbau E, Sayer EJ. The Automated Root Exudate System (ARES): a method to apply solutes at regular intervals to soils in the field. Methods Ecol Evol 2017; 8:1042-1050. [PMID: 28989596 PMCID: PMC5606508 DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Root exudation is a key component of nutrient and carbon dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems. Exudation rates vary widely by plant species and environmental conditions, but our understanding of how root exudates affect soil functioning is incomplete, in part because there are few viable methods to manipulate root exudates in situ. To address this, we devised the Automated Root Exudate System (ARES), which simulates increased root exudation by applying small amounts of labile solutes at regular intervals in the field.The ARES is a gravity-fed drip irrigation system comprising a reservoir bottle connected via a timer to a micro-hose irrigation grid covering c. 1 m2; 24 drip-tips are inserted into the soil to 4-cm depth to apply solutions into the rooting zone. We installed two ARES subplots within existing litter removal and control plots in a temperate deciduous woodland. We applied either an artificial root exudate solution (RE) or a procedural control solution (CP) to each subplot for 1 min day-1 during two growing seasons. To investigate the influence of root exudation on soil carbon dynamics, we measured soil respiration monthly and soil microbial biomass at the end of each growing season.The ARES applied the solutions at a rate of c. 2 L m-2 week-1 without significantly increasing soil water content. The application of RE solution had a clear effect on soil carbon dynamics, but the response varied by litter treatment. Across two growing seasons, soil respiration was 25% higher in RE compared to CP subplots in the litter removal treatment, but not in the control plots. By contrast, we observed a significant increase in microbial biomass carbon (33%) and nitrogen (26%) in RE subplots in the control litter treatment.The ARES is an effective, low-cost method to apply experimental solutions directly into the rooting zone in the field. The installation of the systems entails minimal disturbance to the soil and little maintenance is required. Although we used ARES to apply root exudate solution, the method can be used to apply many other treatments involving solute inputs at regular intervals in a wide range of ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eduardo Medina‐Barcenas
- Lancaster Environment CentreLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YQUK
- School of Environment, Earth & Ecosystem SciencesThe Open UniversityWalton HallMilton KeynesMK7 6AAUK
| | - Ali J. Birkett
- Lancaster Environment CentreLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YQUK
| | | | | | | | - Emma J. Sayer
- Lancaster Environment CentreLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YQUK
- School of Environment, Earth & Ecosystem SciencesThe Open UniversityWalton HallMilton KeynesMK7 6AAUK
- Smithsonian Tropical Research InstituteP.O. Box 0843‐03092, Balboa, AnconPanamaRepublic of Panama
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Urrutia‐Jalabert R, Malhi Y, Lara A. Soil respiration and mass balance estimation of fine root production in
Fitzroya cupressoides
forests of southern Chile. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rocio Urrutia‐Jalabert
- Laboratorio de Dendrocronología y Cambio Global Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Recursos Naturales Instituto de Conservacion, Biodiversidad y Territorio Universidad Austral de Chile Independencia 641 Valdivia Chile
- Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR)2 Blanco Encalada 2002 Santiago Chile
| | - Yadvinder Malhi
- School of Geography and the Environment Environmental Change Institute University of Oxford Oxford OX1 3QY UK
| | - Antonio Lara
- Laboratorio de Dendrocronología y Cambio Global Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Recursos Naturales Instituto de Conservacion, Biodiversidad y Territorio Universidad Austral de Chile Independencia 641 Valdivia Chile
- Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR)2 Blanco Encalada 2002 Santiago Chile
- Fundación Centro de los Bosques Nativos FORECOS Los Robles 510 interior Valdivia Chile
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The Oldest, Slowest Rainforests in the World? Massive Biomass and Slow Carbon Dynamics of Fitzroya cupressoides Temperate Forests in Southern Chile. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0137569. [PMID: 26353111 PMCID: PMC4564186 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Old-growth temperate rainforests are, per unit area, the largest and most long-lived stores of carbon in the terrestrial biosphere, but their carbon dynamics have rarely been described. The endangered Fitzroya cupressoides forests of southern South America include stands that are probably the oldest dense forest stands in the world, with long-lived trees and high standing biomass. We assess and compare aboveground biomass, and provide the first estimates of net primary productivity (NPP), carbon allocation and mean wood residence time in medium-age stands in the Alerce Costero National Park (AC) in the Coastal Range and in old-growth forests in the Alerce Andino National Park (AA) in the Andean Cordillera. Aboveground live biomass was 113-114 Mg C ha(-1) and 448-517 Mg C ha(-1) in AC and AA, respectively. Aboveground productivity was 3.35-3.36 Mg C ha(-1) year(-1) in AC and 2.22-2.54 Mg C ha(-1) year(-1) in AA, values generally lower than others reported for temperate wet forests worldwide, mainly due to the low woody growth of Fitzroya. NPP was 4.21-4.24 and 3.78-4.10 Mg C ha(-1) year(-1) in AC and AA, respectively. Estimated mean wood residence time was a minimum of 539-640 years for the whole forest in the Andes and 1368-1393 years for only Fitzroya in this site. Our biomass estimates for the Andes place these ecosystems among the most massive forests in the world. Differences in biomass production between sites seem mostly apparent as differences in allocation rather than productivity. Residence time estimates for Fitzroya are the highest reported for any species and carbon dynamics in these forests are the slowest reported for wet forests worldwide. Although primary productivity is low in Fitzroya forests, they probably act as ongoing biomass carbon sinks on long-term timescales due to their low mortality rates and exceptionally long residence times that allow biomass to be accumulated for millennia.
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Doughty CE, Metcalfe DB, Girardin CAJ, Amézquita FF, Cabrera DG, Huasco WH, Silva-Espejo JE, Araujo-Murakami A, da Costa MC, Rocha W, Feldpausch TR, Mendoza ALM, da Costa ACL, Meir P, Phillips OL, Malhi Y. Drought impact on forest carbon dynamics and fluxes in Amazonia. Nature 2015; 519:78-82. [DOI: 10.1038/nature14213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 364] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Accepted: 12/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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