The response of coarse root biomass to long-term CO2 enrichment and nitrogen application in a maturing Pinus taeda stand with a large broadleaved component.

Elevated atmospheric CO2 (eCO2 ) typically increases aboveground growth in both growth chamber and free-air carbon enrichment (FACE) studies. Here we report on the impacts of eCO2 and nitrogen amendment on coarse root biomass and net primary productivity (NPP) at the Duke FACE study, where half of the eight plots in a 30-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda, L.) plantation, including competing naturally regenerated broadleaved species, were subjected to eCO2 (ambient, aCO2 plus 200 ppm) for 15-17 years, combined with annual nitrogen amendments (11.2 g N m-2 ) for 6 years. Allometric equations were developed following harvest to estimate coarse root (>2 mm diameter) biomass. Pine root biomass under eCO2 increased 32%, 1.80 kg m-2 above the 5.66 kg m-2 observed in aCO2 , largely accumulating in the top 30 cm of soil. In contrast, eCO2 increased broadleaved root biomass more than twofold (aCO2 : 0.81, eCO2 : 2.07 kg m-2 ), primarily accumulating in the 30-60 cm soil depth. Combined, pine and broadleaved root biomass increased 3.08 kg m-2 over aCO2 of 6.46 kg m-2 , a 48% increase. Elevated CO2 did not increase pine root:shoot ratio (average 0.24) but increased the ratio from 0.57 to 1.12 in broadleaved species. Averaged over the study (1997-2010), eCO2 increased pine, broadleaved and total coarse root NPP by 49%, 373% and 86% respectively. Nitrogen amendment had smaller effects on any component, singly or interacting with eCO2 . A sustained increase in root NPP under eCO2 over the study period indicates that soil nutrients were sufficient to maintain root growth response to eCO2 . These responses must be considered in computing coarse root carbon sequestration of the extensive southern pine and similar forests, and in modelling the responses of coarse root biomass of pine-broadleaved forests to CO2 concentration over a range of soil N availability.

Ecosystem carbon density and allocation across a chronosequence of longleaf pine forests.

Forests can partially offset greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to climate change mitigation, mainly through increases in live biomass. We quantified carbon (C) density in 20 managed longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) forests ranging in age from 5 to 118 years located across the southeastern United States and estimated above- and belowground C trajectories. Ecosystem C stock (all pools including soil C) and aboveground live tree C increased nonlinearly with stand age and the modeled asymptotic maxima were 168 Mg C/ha and 80 Mg C/ha, respectively. Accumulation of ecosystem C with stand age was driven mainly by increases in aboveground live tree C, which ranged from <1 Mg C/ha to 74 Mg C/ha and comprised <1% to 39% of ecosystem C. Live root C (sum of below-stump C, ground penetrating radar measurement of lateral root C, and live fine root C) increased with stand age and represented 4-22% of ecosystem C. Soil C was related to site index, but not to stand age, and made up 39-92% of ecosystem C. Live understory C, forest floor C, downed dead wood C, and standing dead wood C were small fractions of ecosystem C in these frequently burned stands. Stand age and site index accounted for 76% of the variation in ecosystem C among stands. The mean root-to-shoot ratio calculated as the average across all stands (excluding the grass-stage stand) was 0.54 (standard deviation of 0.19) and higher than reports for other conifers. Long-term accumulation of live tree C, combined with the larger role of belowground accumulation of lateral root C than in other forest types, indicates a role of longleaf pine forests in providing disturbance-resistant C storage that can balance the more rapid C accumulation and C removal associated with more intensively managed forests. Although other managed southern pine systems sequester more C over the short-term, we suggest that longleaf pine forests can play a meaningful role in regional forest C management.

Sustained effects of atmospheric [CO2] and nitrogen availability on forest soil CO2 efflux.

Soil CO2 efflux (Fsoil ) is the largest source of carbon from forests and reflects primary productivity as well as how carbon is allocated within forest ecosystems. Through early stages of stand development, both elevated [CO2] and availability of soil nitrogen (N; sum of mineralization, deposition, and fixation) have been shown to increase gross primary productivity, but the long-term effects of these factors on Fsoil are less clear. Expanding on previous studies at the Duke Free-Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) site, we quantified the effects of elevated [CO2] and N fertilization on Fsoil using daily measurements from automated chambers over 10 years. Consistent with previous results, compared to ambient unfertilized plots, annual Fsoil increased under elevated [CO2] (ca. 17%) and decreased with N (ca. 21%). N fertilization under elevated [CO2] reduced Fsoil to values similar to untreated plots. Over the study period, base respiration rates increased with leaf productivity, but declined after productivity saturated. Despite treatment-induced differences in aboveground biomass, soil temperature and water content were similar among treatments. Interannually, low soil water content decreased annual Fsoil from potential values - estimated based on temperature alone assuming nonlimiting soil water content - by ca. 0.7% per 1.0% reduction in relative extractable water. This effect was only slightly ameliorated by elevated [CO2]. Variability in soil N availability among plots accounted for the spatial variability in Fsoil , showing a decrease of ca. 114 g C m(-2) yr(-1) per 1 g m(-2) increase in soil N availability, with consistently higher Fsoil in elevated [CO2] plots ca. 127 g C per 100 ppm [CO2] over the +200 ppm enrichment. Altogether, reflecting increased belowground carbon partitioning in response to greater plant nutritional needs, the effects of elevated [CO2] and N fertilization on Fsoil in this stand are sustained beyond the early stages of stand development and through stabilization of annual foliage production.

Soil incorporation of logging residue affects fine-root and mycorrhizal root-tip dynamics of young loblolly pine clones.

Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations cover a large geographic area of the southeastern USA and supply a large proportion of the nation's wood products. Research on management strategies designed to maximize wood production while also optimizing nutrient use efficiency and soil C sequestration is needed. We used minirhizotrons to quantify the effects of incorporating logging residues into soil on fine-root standing crop, production and mortality, and mycorrhizal root tips in young loblolly pine clones of contrasting ideotypes. Clone 93 is known to allocate more C to stem growth, while clone 32 allocates less C to stems and more to leaves. The relative allocation by these clones to support fine-root turnover is unknown. Clone 32 exhibited 37% more fine-root mortality than clone 93, which was mainly the result of a greater standing crop of fine roots. Fine-root standing crop in plots amended with logging residue was initially higher than control plots, but 2.5 years after planting, standing crop in control plots had exceeded that in mulched plots. Production of mycorrhizal root tips, on the other hand, was initially higher in control than mulched plots, but during the last 9 months of the study, mycorrhizal tip production was greater in mulched than control plots, especially for clone 93. As expected, turnover rate of fine roots was greater in surface soil (0-25 cm) compared with deeper (25-50 cm) soil and for small roots (< 0.4 mm diameter) compared with larger fine roots (0.4-2.0 mm diameter). Rates of fine-root turnover were similar in both clones. Organic matter additions reduced survivorship of individual roots and increased turnover rates of fine-root populations. Results indicate that management decisions should be tailored to fit the growth and allocation patterns of available clones.

Re-assessment of plant carbon dynamics at the Duke free-air CO(2) enrichment site: interactions of atmospheric [CO(2)] with nitrogen and water availability over stand development.

*The potential for elevated [CO(2)]-induced changes to plant carbon (C) storage, through modifications in plant production and allocation of C among plant pools, is an important source of uncertainty when predicting future forest function. Utilizing 10 yr of data from the Duke free-air CO(2) enrichment site, we evaluated the dynamics and distribution of plant C. *Discrepancy between heights measured for this study and previously calculated heights required revision of earlier allometrically based biomass determinations, resulting in higher (up to 50%) estimates of standing biomass and net primary productivity than previous assessments. *Generally, elevated [CO(2)] caused sustained increases in plant biomass production and in standing C, but did not affect the partitioning of C among plant biomass pools. Spatial variation in net primary productivity and its [CO(2)]-induced enhancement was controlled primarily by N availability, with the difference between precipitation and potential evapotranspiration explaining most interannual variability. Consequently, [CO(2)]-induced net primary productivity enhancement ranged from 22 to 30% in different plots and years. *Through quantifying the effects of nutrient and water availability on the forest productivity response to elevated [CO(2)], we show that net primary productivity enhancement by elevated [CO(2)] is not uniform, but rather highly dependent on the availability of other growth resources.

Relationships between stem CO(2) efflux, substrate supply, and growth in young loblolly pine trees.

*We examined the relationships between stem CO(2) efflux (E(s)), diameter growth, and nonstructural carbohydrate concentration in loblolly pine trees. Carbohydrate supply was altered via stem girdling during rapid stem growth in the spring and after growth had ceased in the autumn. We hypothesized that substrate type and availability control the seasonal variation and temperature sensitivity of E(s). *The E(s) increased and decreased above and below the girdle, respectively, within 24 h of treatment. Seasonal variation in E(s) response to girdling corresponded to changes in stem soluble sugar and starch concentration. Relative to nongirdled trees, E(s) increased 94% above the girdle and decreased 50% below in the autumn compared with a 60% and 20% response at similar positions in the spring. *The sensitivity of E(s) to temperature decreased below the girdle in the autumn and spring and increased above the girdle but only in the autumn. Temperature-corrected E(s) was linearly related to soluble sugar (R(2) = 0.57) and starch (R(2) = 0.62) concentration. *We conclude that carbohydrate supply, primarily recently fixed photosynthate, strongly influences E(s) in Pinus taeda stems. Carbohydrate availability effects on E(s) obviate the utility of applying short-term temperature response functions across seasons.

Pinus taeda clones and soil nutrient availability: effects of soil organic matter incorporation and fertilization on biomass partitioning and leaf physiology.

The combined effects of intensive management and planting of improved seedlings have led to large increases in productivity on intensively managed pine forests in the southeastern United States. To best match clones to particular site conditions, an understanding of how specific clones respond to changes in nutrition in terms of biomass partitioning, leaf physiology and biochemistry will be necessary. This study measured the response of biomass partitioning, light-saturated net photosynthesis (A(Sat)) and photosynthetic capacity to a range in soil fertility and fertilization between two contrasting Pinus taeda L. clone ideotypes: a 'narrow crown' clone (NC) that allocates more resources to stem growth and a 'broad crown' clone (BC) that allocates more resources to leaf area (LA). Under field conditions, we found consistent clone by environment (i.e., varying nutrient regimes) interactions in biomass as well as leaf physiology. Nutrient limitations induced by logging residue incorporation resulted in a 25% loss in stem growth in BC, while NC showed no response. We postulated that the decrease in BC was due to the differences in canopy architecture leading to a reduced canopy CO(2) assimilation, as well as to increased belowground maintenance costs associated with fine-root production. In contrast, N and P additions resulted in a 21% greater increase in stem volume in NC relative to BC. Fertilization increased A(Sat) temporarily in both clones, but A(Sat) eventually decreased below control levels by the end of the study. Although we found a clone by fertilization interaction in leaf physiology, the greatest genotype by environment interaction was found in the LA that appeared to have a greater influence than A(Sat) on growth. This research demonstrates the potential importance of selecting appropriate clonal material and silvicultural prescription when implementing site-specific silviculture to maximize productivity in intensively managed southern pine forests.

Genomic and physiological approaches to advancing forest tree improvement.

The recent completion of a draft sequence of the poplar (Populus trichocarpa Torr. & Gray ex Brayshaw) genome has advanced forest tree genetics to an unprecedented level. A "parts list" for a forest tree has been produced, opening up new opportunities for dissecting the interworkings of tree growth and development. In the relatively near future we can anticipate additional reference genome sequences, including the much larger Pinus genome. One goal is to use this information to define the genomic attributes that affect the phenotypic performances of trees growing in various environments. A first step is the definition of ideotypes that constitute optimal tree and stand-level performance. Following this, the genome can be systematically searched for genetic elements and their allelic variants that affect the specified traits. Knowledge of these alleles and their effects will facilitate the development of efficient tree improvement programs through genome-guided breeding and genetic engineering and further our mechanistic understanding of trait variation. Improved mechanistic understanding of tree growth and development is needed to develop process models that will allow us to anticipate and manage change in forest ecosystems. Here we consider the development of an ideotype for loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and discuss genomic approaches for studying the component traits that will enable advances in process model development and the genetic improvement of this important conifer.

Aboveground sink strength in forests controls the allocation of carbon below ground and its [CO2]-induced enhancement.

The partitioning among carbon (C) pools of the extra C captured under elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]) determines the enhancement in C sequestration, yet no clear partitioning rules exist. Here, we used first principles and published data from four free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) experiments on forest tree species to conceptualize the total allocation of C to below ground (TBCA) under current [CO2] and to predict the likely effect of elevated [CO2]. We show that at a FACE site where leaf area index (L) of Pinus taeda L. was altered through nitrogen fertilization, ice-storm damage, and droughts, changes in L, reflecting the aboveground sink for net primary productivity, were accompanied by opposite changes in TBCA. A similar pattern emerged when data were combined from the four FACE experiments, using leaf area duration (LD) to account for differences in growing-season length. Moreover, elevated [CO2]-induced enhancement of TBCA in the combined data decreased from approximately 50% (700 g C m(-2) y(-1)) at the lowest LD to approximately 30% (200 g C m(-2) y(-1)) at the highest LD. The consistency of the trend in TBCA with L and its response to [CO2] across the sites provides a norm for predictions of ecosystem C cycling, and is particularly useful for models that use L to estimate components of the terrestrial C balance.

Canopy leaf area constrains [CO2]-induced enhancement of productivity and partitioning among aboveground carbon pools.

Net primary productivity (NPP) is enhanced under future atmospheric [CO2] in temperate forests representing a broad range of productivity. Yet questions remain in regard to how elevated [CO2]-induced NPP enhancement may be affected by climatic variations and limiting nutrient resources, as well as how this additional production is distributed among carbon (C) pools of different longevities. Using 10 years of data from the Duke free-air CO2 enrichment (Duke FACE) site, we show that spatially, the major control of NPP was nitrogen (N) availability, through its control on canopy leaf area index (L). Elevated CO2 levels resulted in greater L, and thus greater NPP. After canopy closure had occurred, elevated [CO2] did not enhance NPP at a given L, regardless of soil water availability. Additionally, using published data from three other forest FACE sites and replacing L with leaf area duration (LD) to account for differences in growing season length, we show that aboveground NPP responded to [CO2] only through the enhancement of LD. For broadleaf forests, the fraction of aboveground NPP partitioned to wood biomass saturated with increasing LD and was not enhanced by [CO2], whereas it linearly decreased for the conifer forest but was enhanced by [CO2]. These results underscore the importance of resolving [CO2] effects on L to assess the response of NPP and C allocation. Further study is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms that control the differential allocation of C among aboveground pools in different forest types.

Nitrogen availability alters macrofungal basidiomycete community structure in optimally fertilized loblolly pine forests.

• We investigated the effect of an optimal nutrition strategy designed to maximize loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) growth on the rank abundance structure and diversity of associated basidiomycete communities. • We conducted both small- and large-scale below-ground surveys 10 years after the initiation of optimal nutrition, and used TRFLP of selectively PCR-amplified nrDNA ITS to determine the distribution and abundance of macrofungal basidiomycete species in c. 200 soil samples collected from optimally fertilized and unfertilized treatments at the SETRES loblolly pine experimental site, North Carolina, USA. • Our results indicated an increased relative abundance of Tylopilus and Thelephora spp. on optimally fertilized stands. Our results also suggested improved mycelial growth of several species, possibly caused by increased connectivity in the forest floor as a result of increased plant growth. • In addition, our results suggest a trend towards reduced basidiomycete diversity, and that large-scale application of optimal nutrition may need to be sensitive to increased nitrate availability.

Branch growth and gas exchange in 13-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) trees in response to elevated carbon dioxide concentration and fertilization.

We used whole-tree, open-top chambers to expose 13-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) trees, growing in soil with high or low nutrient availability, to either ambient or elevated (ambient + 200 micromol mol-1) carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) for 28 months. Branch growth and morphology, foliar chemistry and gas exchange characteristics were measured periodically in the upper, middle and lower crown during the 2 years of exposure. Fertilization and elevated [CO2] increased branch leaf area by 38 and 13%, respectively, and the combined effects were additive. Fertilization and elevated [CO2] differentially altered needle lengths, number of fascicles and flush length such that flush density (leaf area/flush length) increased with improved nutrition but decreased in response to elevated [CO2]. These results suggest that changes in nitrogen availability and atmospheric [CO2] may alter canopy structure, resulting in greater foliage retention and deeper crowns in loblolly pine forests. Fertilization increased foliar nitrogen concentration (N(M)), but had no consistent effect on foliar leaf mass (W(A)) or light-saturated net photosynthesis (A(sat)). However, the correlation between A(sat) and leaf nitrogen per unit area (N(A) = W(A)N(M)) ranged from strong to weak depending on the time of year, possibly reflecting seasonal shifts in the form and pools of leaf nitrogen. Elevated [CO2] had no effect on W(A), N(M) or N(A), but increased A(sat) on average by 82%. Elevated [CO2] also increased photosynthetic quantum efficiency and lowered the light compensation point, but had no effect on the photosynthetic response to intercellular [CO2], hence there was no acclimation to elevated [CO2]. Daily photosynthetic photon flux density at the upper, middle and lower canopy position was 60, 54 and 33%, respectively, of full sun incident to the top of the canopy. Despite the relatively high light penetration, W(A), N(A), A(sat) and R(d) decreased with crown depth. Although growth enhancement in response to elevated [CO2] was dependent on fertilization, [CO2] by fertilization interactions and treatment by canopy position interactions generally had little effect on the physiological parameters measured.

Shoot water relations of mature black spruce families displaying a genotype x environment interaction in growth rate. I. Family and site effects over three growing seasons.

Pressure-volume curves were determined for black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) trees from four full-sib families. During the first two years, trees were measured from a plantation on a dry site. In the third year, trees were sampled from the dry site and a wet site. Diurnal measurements of shoot water potential allowed in situ shoot turgor to be estimated in addition to standard water relations traits. Over all years, Female 59 progeny displayed lower osmotic potentials at saturation (Psi(sat)) than Female 63 progeny. Genetic differences in Psi(sat) were similar on both the dry and wet sites. Modulus of elasticity (epsilon) was greater for Female 59 progeny than for Female 63 progeny, producing a compensatory effect resulting in no genetic or site differences in osmotic potential at turgor loss point (Psi(tlp)) or relative water content at turgor loss point (RWC(tlp)). Mean and predawn shoot turgor pressures (P(x) and P(pd)) were higher for Female 59 progeny than for Female 63 progeny and higher at the wet site than the dry site. Genotype x environment trends were observed; compared to Female 63 progeny, Female 59 progeny displayed 9.8 and 5.1% higher P(pd) on the dry and wet sites, respectively, and 3.4 and 9.8% greater P(pd) values in wet and dry years, respectively. Tree volume growth showed no relationship to Psi(tlp) or RWC(tlp), but was correlated with Psi(sat) and P(x); however, the strongest correlation was with P(pd) (r = 0.90).

Shoot water relations of mature black spruce families displaying a genotype x environment interaction in growth rate. II. Temporal trends and response to varying soil water conditions.

Pressure-volume curves and shoot water potentials were determined for black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) trees from four full-sib families at the Petawawa Research Forest, Ontario, Canada. Trees were sampled from a dry site in 1992 and from the dry site and a wet site in 1993. Modulus of elasticity (epsilon), osmotic potential at turgor loss point (Psi(tlp)) and relative water at turgor loss point (RWC(tlp)) all decreased during the growing season. Osmotic potential at saturation (Psi(sat)) and turgor displayed no general temporal trend. Across a range of environmental conditions, Female 59 progeny had equal or lower Psi(sat), and higher or similar epsilon, mean turgor pressure (P(x)) and predawn turgor pressure (P(pd)) compared with Female 63 progeny. Osmotic potential at saturation decreased as water stress increased from mild to moderate and increased as water stress increased from moderate to severe. Stable genetic differences in Psi(sat) were maintained by the same rate of osmotic adjustment from low to moderate water stress. Modulus of elasticity and RWC(tlp) decreased with decreasing water availability, whereas Psi(tlp) showed no response. The combined effects of Psi(sat) and epsilon resulted in no change in P(pd) as water stress increased from low to moderate values, but turgor declined sharply as water stress increased from moderate to high values. We conclude that drought tolerance traits strongly influence the growth of these black spruce families across sites of varying water availability.