Harvard Forest Research

Short and long-term temperature acclimation of root systems in woody plants and the moderation of warming-induced enhancement of soil CO2 effux

Principal Investigator: Andrew Burton
Michigan Technological University: Sep 19 2007 - Nov 01 2009:

Abstract:
We will assess the degree to which temperature acclimation occurs in root systems of a variety of woody plants and determine if such acclimation is a short-term, direct physiological adjustment to warmer temperatures (days to months) or a longer term response to changes in nutrient, moisture and C availability and mycorrhizal status as the ecosystem adjusts to long-term warming (years).
Specific questions we will address include: Does rapid temperature acclimation occur in roots of large perennial woody plants? How do root biomass, root N concentration, and root respiration rates adjust to long-term changes in soil temperature and moisture and concomitant changes in N availability? How are rates of mycorrhizal infection influenced by the effects of warmer soil temperatures on host C balance and soil N availability? How do the short- and long-term responses of roots and mycorrhizae to warming and associated changes in soil nutrient cycling affect soil CO2 efflux and C availability for aboveground NPP? Are the interrelationships between warmer soil temperature regimes and C fluxes to and from roots and mycorrhizae adequately described by current ecophysiological models?
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