TY - JOUR
T1 - Nutrient relations and root mycorrhizal status of healthy and declining beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in southern Britain
AU - Power, S. A.
AU - Ashmore, M. R.
PY - 1996
Y1 - 1996
N2 - Many studies have been carried out to investigate the wide scale problem of forest decline that is affecting vast numbers of trees throughout Europe and North American. Evidence of nutritional disturbances, both above- and below-ground, has been found for a variety of species. Furthermore, it has been suggested that differences in above-ground tree health are often reflected below ground, particularly in the root systems of declining trees. An investigation of root vitality, soil and leaf chemistry of healthy and unhealthy beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) was carried out at a number of sites in southern Britain, covering a range of different soil types. At each site, healthy and unhealthy trees growing in very close proximity were compared in order to avoid large scale environmental differences that might be expected when comparing stands of trees at different locations. Healthy trees were found to have significantly greater proportions of live mycorrhizal roots than their unhealthy neighbours at most of the sites investigated. In addition, significant differences in soil chemistry were found between trees in contrasting health, with healthy trees generally growing in soil containing higher concentrations of calcium, magnesium and potassium and lower aluminium/calcium ratios. Very few differences were found in leaf nutrient content, suggesting that soil chemistry is not yet limiting nutrient uptake. The importance of root system differences in the tolerance of unfavourable edaphic and climatic conditions is discussed with respect to tree health.
AB - Many studies have been carried out to investigate the wide scale problem of forest decline that is affecting vast numbers of trees throughout Europe and North American. Evidence of nutritional disturbances, both above- and below-ground, has been found for a variety of species. Furthermore, it has been suggested that differences in above-ground tree health are often reflected below ground, particularly in the root systems of declining trees. An investigation of root vitality, soil and leaf chemistry of healthy and unhealthy beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) was carried out at a number of sites in southern Britain, covering a range of different soil types. At each site, healthy and unhealthy trees growing in very close proximity were compared in order to avoid large scale environmental differences that might be expected when comparing stands of trees at different locations. Healthy trees were found to have significantly greater proportions of live mycorrhizal roots than their unhealthy neighbours at most of the sites investigated. In addition, significant differences in soil chemistry were found between trees in contrasting health, with healthy trees generally growing in soil containing higher concentrations of calcium, magnesium and potassium and lower aluminium/calcium ratios. Very few differences were found in leaf nutrient content, suggesting that soil chemistry is not yet limiting nutrient uptake. The importance of root system differences in the tolerance of unfavourable edaphic and climatic conditions is discussed with respect to tree health.
KW - European beech
KW - Great Britain
KW - forest declines
KW - mycorrhizas
KW - plant nutrients
KW - soil chemistry
UR - http://handle.westernsydney.edu.au:8081/1959.7/uws:43090
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0029668101&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/BF00279164
DO - 10.1007/BF00279164
M3 - Article
SN - 0049-6979
VL - 86
SP - 317
EP - 333
JO - Water, Air and Soil Pollution
JF - Water, Air and Soil Pollution
IS - 1-4
ER -