Effects of Elevated Atmospheric CO2 on Root Dynamics, Biomass and Architecture in a Scrub-Oak Ecosystem at Kennedy Space Center, Florida

<p>A major gap in whole-plant ecology lies with our understanding of root system growth, function and distribution. Large belowground structures, in addition to fine roots, are of particular interest because of their role in carbon sequestration. Non-destructive methods, including ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and minirhizotron observation tubes, were used to investigate effects of elevated CO₂ on root biomass, dynamics (productivity, mortality, and turnover), root persistence and architecture in a fire dominated scrub-oak ecosystem. Open-top chambers have been exposed to elevated atmospheric CO₂ for the past eleven years at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. No significant sustained CO₂ treatment effects were observed in fine root length density, due to root closure. Root density at lower depths increased to match abundance levels observed in the upper portions of the soil profile. CO₂ significantly affected fine root production, mortality, and turnover during the early years of fumigation; however, this effect disappeared as fine root closure occurred. Survivorship analysis suggested the smallest fine root size classes (2. Overall, 86% of the total biomass was belowground with 78% allocated to coarse roots and 22% to fine roots. Coarse root architecture determinations confirmed the complexity and abundance of large belowground structures in this system. Large roots with sharp angles or that transverse the study areas were most likely to be observed in the GPR images. Large root burls were readily visualized in the GPR based architecture models. The results suggest that coarse roots may play a large role in the sequestration of carbon belowground in scrub-oak ecosystems, thus having implications to carbon dynamics, CO₂ treatment memory, and plant regeneration following disturbances such as fire.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.available

2007

Author dc:creator

• Stover, Daniel Benjamin

Contributors dc:contributor

• Frank P. Day
• Joseph Rule
• Kneeland Nesius

• Atmospheric carbon dioxide
• Biomass
• Florida
• Kennedy Space Center
• Roots
• Scrub oak
• Biogeochemistry
• Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Statement dc:rights

• <p>In Copyright. URI: <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).</p>

Identifier

9780549040972

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.odu.edu:biology_etds-1082