Quantifying Carbon in Structural Tree Root Systems using 3D Architecture Models

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Quantifying carbon in root systems is required for accurate reporting of carbon inventory in ecosystems; however, determining carbon in tree roots systems is resource intensive. Fine roots have been the focus of much belowground research in the past but structural tree root systems which account for the majority of belowground carbon in tree root biomass are poorly quantified. Thus new tools are needed to quantify root carbon as well as understanding how structural roots are affected by environmental processes and soil properties. In the last 10 years there has been a rapid development in 3 dimensional (3D) tree root architecture models, especially in Europe. The objective of this NSERC proposal is to apply these 3D architectural root models for jack pine in the boreal forest in Saskatchewan. Jack pine trees growing at the southern edge of the boreal forest and 600 km to the north on shallower soils will have their root systems excavated and each root spatially mapped (i.e. x,y,z coordinates) with a 3D digitizer (Fastrak unit). The digitized data (spatial location, diameters etc) will be used with specialized software to create 3D architectural root models. These models can be analyzed for various root characteristics to predict root biomass as well as to study how soil texture influences coarse root development. The data will also be used in a process model (Root Typ) that can be parameterized to predict structural root development and biomass with time. This research 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, carbon sequestration and for genetic improvements in forest trees. These 3D architecture models of tree root systems will also aid in better estimates of root carbon sequestration that can be used in ecosystem scale carbon models such as the Carbon Budget Model (CFS3-CBM) which will quantify carbon on large spatial scales over time. 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 utilized to determine root biomass.