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OPTIMIZING MINIRHIZOTRON SAMPLE FREQUENCY FOR ESTIMATING FINE ROOT PRODUCTION AND TURNOVER
Citation:
Tingey, D T., D L. Phillips, AND M G. Johnson. OPTIMIZING MINIRHIZOTRON SAMPLE FREQUENCY FOR ESTIMATING FINE ROOT PRODUCTION AND TURNOVER. Presented at Third North American Forest Ecology Workshop, Duluth, MN, June 24-27, 2001.
Description:
The most frequent reason for using minirhizotrons in natural ecosystems is the determination of fine root production and turnover. Our objective is to determine the optimum sampling frequency for estimating fine root production and turnover using data from evergreen (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and deciduous (Tilia cordata) stands to contribute to stand C-budgets. Because it is costly to collect and analyze root images it is desirable to minimize the number of sample collected to conserve resources. However, if the sampling interval is too long fine roots can appear and disappear between sampling intervals. Increasing the interval between samplings increases the amount of fine root production or turnover that is not measured, leading to underestimation. For example, if a sampling interval of once every 8 weeks is used, ~20% of the fine root production, based on root numbers, is not measured. As the minirhizotron technique is non-destructive it is possible to adjust sample collection frequency to optimize the trade-off between effort required and estimation accuracy in determination of fine root production and turnover.