Root Ecological Niche Index and Root Distribution Characteristics of Artificial Phytocommunities in Rehabilitated Fields

Abstract

In the implementation phase of the Conversion of Cropland to Forest and Grassland (CCFG) project in China, it is important, from a scientific point of view, to recognize phytocommunities  characteristics, species compatibility, and ecological function. The ecological niche that roots occupy, their abundance and distribution, and the factors that affect them must be acknowledged. Following the methodology of community ecology, the total root mass of a phytocommunity is measured as cubic volume. Root biomass, length, and the number of roots in every diameter class, for each soil layer and for each plant species, are regarded as observation variables. In the first instance therefore, a new method to calculate the root ecological niche index (RENI) is proposed, embracing the entire phytocommunity of plantations. Using the new method, the roots of phytocommunities in Datong County, Qinghai Province (one of the counties selected for the national CCFG experiment), are dealt with in this paper. The results show that most of the vertical distributions of plant roots belong to the type wherein the roots are concentrated in the topsoil layer (0 20 cm), far more than those in the lower soil layers. The RENI of phytocommunities is higher than that of pure stands or monocultures. The distribution of RENI by root diameter can be divided into four types: J-type, inverse J-type, recumbent S-type, and U-type. RENI is positively correlated with the wet biomass of aboveground level stems, branches, and plant leaves, and with the species richness of phytocommunities. Although the RENIs of plantations in rehabilitated fields are a little lower than those of natural forests, they are higher than those of cultivated crops. The RENIs of three community types (Picea crassifolia + Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis, H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis, and P. crassifolia) in rehabilitated fields benefit greatly from the restoration project. The implementation of the CCFG project is important for the increase in RENI and the multiple functions of plant roots.