Fine Root Morphology, Biochemistry and Litter Quality Indices of Fast- and Slow-growing Woody Species in Ethiopian Highland Forest

• DOI: 10.1007/s10021-017-0163-7
• Publication Date: 2017-06-21T11:49:11Z
• Authors: Dessie Assefa; Douglas L. Godbold; Beyene Belay; Abrham Abiyu; Boris Rewald
• Keywords: Litter

Fine root turnover of trees is a major C input to soil. However, the quality litter influenced by morphological traits and tissue chemical composition. In this study, fine roots ten tropical woody species were collected from an Afromontane forest in northern highlands Ethiopia. The analysed for chemistry measured as proxy carbon fractionations. Based on stem increment, 10 divided into faster- slower-growing species. Faster-growing exhibited higher specific length (1362 cm g−1) than (923 g−1). Similarly area was faster-growing (223 cm2 (167 Among fractions, acid-insoluble fraction (AIF) highest (44–51%). content, AIF, lignocellulose index Root density lower (0.33 g cm−3) (0.40 showed strong positive correlation with content (r 2 = 0.84) AIF pearson 0.93). between reflect ecological strategy they employ. Slower-growing have which may greater longevity.