Development of 3D Root Architecture Models for Tree Species

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Determining carbon in tree roots systems is resource intensive and new tools are needed to understand and describe belowground processes. Fine roots have been the focus of much research but structural tree root systems which account for the majority of belowground carbon root biomass in trees are poorly understood. In the last 10 years there has been a rapid development in 3D tree root architecture models, especially in Europe. The objective of this NSERC proposal is to develop 3D architectural root models for jack pine in the boreal forest in Saskatchewan. Jack pine trees from the Boreal Plains and Boreal Shield regions will have their root systems excavated and each root mapped with a 3D digitizer using a Fastrak unit. The digitized data (location, diameters etc) will be used in the AMAPmod to create 3D architectural root models that can be analyzed for various root characteristics and root biomass. The data will also be used in two other models FracRoot and Root Typ that can be parameterized to predict structural root growth and biomass. This project is novel in that it will provide researchers in Canada with new tools for predicting structural root development that can be used to address the emerging challenges related to climate change, C sequestration and genetic improvements in forest trees. These 3D architecture models of tree root systems will also aid in better prediction of root C sequestration that can be used in ecosystem scale C models such as the Carbon Budget Model (CBM-CFS3). This will be the first study to my knowledge in Canada where 3D models of coarse woody root architecture for boreal tree species will be assessed.