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Rooting Patterns of Old-Growth Forests: is Aboveground Structural and Functional Diversity Mirrored Belowground?

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Old-Growth Forests

Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 207))

Abstract

Is aboveground structural and functional diversity of old-growth forests mirrored belowground? Addressing this question is an explorative and speculative task, since no studies have directly investigated this point. This chapter therefore reviews the literature to assess how the horizontal and vertical spatial heterogeneity in belowground structures in old-growth forests may differ from those of younger forest developmental stages. While there is little evidence to support the idea that the vertical structure of root systems becomes more complex with stand age, the horizontal patterning created by root gaps, coarse woody debris, pits and mounds, and old stumps, all of which are structural features typically associated with old-growth forests, is likely to create not only diverse rooting patterns, but also high spatial diversity in ecosystem processes.

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  1. Institute of Silviculture, Freiburg University, Tennenbacherstr. 4, 79106, Freiburg, Germany

    Jürgen Bauhus

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    Bauhus, J. (2009). Rooting Patterns of Old-Growth Forests: is Aboveground Structural and Functional Diversity Mirrored Belowground?. In: Wirth, C., Gleixner, G., Heimann, M. (eds) Old-Growth Forests. Ecological Studies, vol 207. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-92706-8_10

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