Effects of Warming and Precipitation Manipulation on Fine Root Dynamics of Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. Seedlings

Abstract

Air warming (TC: control; TW: +3 degrees C) and precipitation manipulation (PC: control; PD: -30%; PI: +30%) were established to examine effects of these treatments on fine root production (FRP), fine root mortality (FRM), and total root (coarse and fine root) biomass in 33- to 59-month-old Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. seedlings for two years. We hypothesized that warming and altered precipitation would affect the growth, death, and biomass of fine roots by changing soil temperature and soil water availability. Mean annual FRP and total root biomass were significantly altered by only precipitation manipulation: they were 29.3% (during the two-year period) and 69.0% (after the entire two years) higher, respectively, in PD plots than in PC plots, respectively. In contrast, only warming had a significant effect on mean annual FRM, being 13.2% lower in TW plots than TC plots during the two-year period. Meanwhile, fine root biomass was affected negatively and simultaneously by both soil temperature and soil moisture. It seemed that fine root dynamics have changed so that they maintain their systems in response to the altered soil temperature and moisture. The current study adds significant knowledge for understanding the fine root dynamics of P. densiflora seedlings under altered temperature and precipitation regimes.