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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2013, Vol. 49 ›› Issue (9): 94-101.

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Effects of Configuration Models and Tree Species Composition on Fine Root Morphological Traits of Typical Urban Forests in Beijing

Liang Xiaoni, Xu Chengyang, Gong Lan, Liu Yu, Qi Xiuhui   

  1. Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, Beijing Forestry University Beijing 100083
  • Received:2013-01-07 Revised:2013-03-26 Online:2013-09-25 Published:2013-09-19

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Abstract:

There are four types of typical vegetable configurations, including conifer-broadleaved-herb species community, conifer-shrub-herb species community, broadleaved-shrub-herb species community and shrub-herb species community, as well as the mixed Pinus tabulaeformis forest and mixed Salix matsudana f. pendula forest in the urban forests in Beijing. The fine root morphological characteristics of the vegetables were studied by digging root samples in this paper. The relationships between fine root morphological traits and the soil nutrients were analysed. Results showed that majority of fine roots was distributed in shallow soil layers, and the fine root biomass in the soil layer of 0-20 cm was taken over 70% of the total fine root biomass. More fine roots were distributed in the soil layer of 0-20 cm in arbor-shrub-herb communities than that in other configuration types. More fine roots were distributed in the soil layer of 20-40 cm in shrub-herb communities than that in other configuration types. Thus fine root distribution was obviously affected by configuration types. Broadleaved arbor species had more fine roots in the soil layer of 0-20 cm while coniferous arbors had more fine roots in the soil layer of 20-40 cm. Shrubs produced more fine roots than arbor species in those communities in which dominant trees were coniferous species. The fine roots in mixed forests were well developed and the fine roots distributed more rationally. Syringa oblate produced the most quantitative fine roots in five types of mixed P. tabulaeformis forests, and Amygdalus triloba produced the most quantitative fine roots in five types of mixed S. matsudana f. pendula forests, indicating that fine roots in the soil were remarkably affected by tree species composition. We concluded that scientific determination of tree species composition and its configuration would play an positive role in meliorating urban forest soil and enhancing urban forest health by means of fine root decomposition and organic matter input and nutrient release.

Key words: urban forest, configuration model, fine root, morphological traits

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