Abstract
The roots of forest trees consist of long-lived, woody coarse roots and non-woody, small-diameter fine roots. There is no established convention defining the diameter-size range of fine roots (Fogel 1983). In general, however, roots with a diameter of less than 2 mm are regarded as fine roots (Vogt et al. 1983). The finest roots (diameter < 1 mm) are almost always mycorrhizal in forest trees in Finland. These roots form the major portion of the total length of the roots on a tree. Mycorrhizal associations are essential for conifers because they enhance nutrient uptake by greatly increasing the surface area of the roots. Mycorrhiza hyphae are widely distributed throughout the uppermost layers of the soil, and can penetrate between smaller soil particles than roots (Eissenstat and Van Rees 1994). Mycorrhiza may also increase fine root longevity (Reid 1984). Fine roots are constantly being renewed. The age of an individual fine root varies between a few weeks and a few years. This means that a high proportion of the organic matter in the soil originates from dead and decomposing fine roots.
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Helmisaari, HS., Lehto, T., Makkonen, K. (2000). Fine Roots and Soil Properties. In: Mälkönen, E. (eds) Forest Condition in a Changing Environment. Forestry Sciences, vol 65. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9373-1_24
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