Belowground phytomass and production in the beech ecosystem Calamintho grandiflorae-Fagetum in Mavrovo National Park. V. Belowground production in the tree and shrub layers

Abstract

The main goal of the article is presentation of the results for belowground net-primary production in tree and shrub layers of the investigated beech ecosystem Calamintho grandiflorae-Fagetum in Mavrovo National Park in the period 1997-2005. Annual increment of coarse roots was estimated by field research while the belowground litter production and fine root production were calculated on the basis of mathematical models. The annual increment in the tree layer (1032.2 kg·ha-1·y-1) was in the frames of the European average. Annual increment in the shrub layer was significantly lower - 4,61 kg·ha-1·y-1. Annual increment is presented separately for the stump and six diameter classes of roots (>10 cm; 5-10 cm; 3-5 cm; 1,5-3,0 cm; 0,5-1,5 cm and 0,1-0,5 cm), both for trees and shrubs. The calculated net-primary production was 5930.3 kg·ha-1·y-1 in the tree layer and 19.77 kg·ha-1·y-1 in the shrub layer. Discussion on the methods for estimation of fine root production is included, as well.