Rooting depths and successional development of selected boreal forest communities

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Abstract
The root density and depth patterns of 4 boreal forest age sequences were analyzed for successional trends. Rooting depths increased with age on sandy substrates which supported aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx, and jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) communities. Rooting depth did not change in an aspen series on fine-textured substrates or in a black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) series growing on organic substrates. Plant communities growing on mineral soils showed a decrease in near-surface root densities and unerstory vascular plant cover with increasing age. Maximum rooting was deepest on sandy substrates and shallowest on organic deposits. Roots in all stands were concentrated near the ground surface. In most cases 50% of all roots were located within 15 cm of the forest floor. Root densities in this zone ranged from 11,000-30,000 roots m-2 of vertical surface. Densities were .apprx. 4300 roots m-2 for the overall rooting zone.