First estimates of fine root production in tropical peat swamp and terra firme forests of the central Congo Basin.

ABSTRACT: Tropical peatlands are carbon-dense ecosystems because they accumulate partially-decomposed plant material. A substantial fraction of this organic matter may derive from fine root production (FRP). However, few FRP estimates exist for tropical peatlands, with none from the world's largest peatland complex in the central Congo Basin. Here we report on FRP using repeat photographs of roots from in situ transparent tubes (minirhizotrons), measured to 1 m depth over three one-month periods (spanning dry to wet seasons), in a palm-dominated peat swamp forest, a hardwood-dominated peat swamp forest, and a terra firme forest. We find FRP of 2.6 ± 0.3 Mg C ha^-1 yr^-1, 1.9 ± 0.5 Mg C ha^-1 yr^-1, and 1.7 ± 0.1 Mg C ha^-1 yr^-1 in the thre

SUBMITTER: Sciumbata M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10387053 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature