Physiological integration of trees through root connections

拟议的研究计划的主要目标是证明通过根移植或亲本根（根发芽物种）相互连接的树木的生理整合。我们最近证明，树木可以通过根连接影响其邻居的生理，但树木之间的生理整合水平尚不清楚。例如，我们不知道树木之间在多大程度上（空间和数量上）共享碳储量和资源，特别是竞争与合作的关系如何影响森林动态。 我们以前已经表明，根连接被发现在大多数森林的北方森林，使用探索性的方法。我们发现许多树木嫁接到死树的活根上;这表明连接的树木为连接的根系提供能量，使它们保持活力。我们将使用现场和实验室实验来证明从公共根系支持大量地下生物量的“成本”，以及树木如何通过根嫁接从不同基因型植物再生树木。 我们还将研究通过根系相互连接的树木之间的竞争与合作关系。 这项研究有可能影响森林生态学的经典概念，认为树木是不同的个体，彼此严格竞争资源。如果发现生理整合水平很高，森林管理做法也可能需要改变。

The main objective of the proposed research program is to demonstrate physiological integration of trees that are interconnected through root grafts or parental roots (root sprouting species). We recently demonstrated that trees could affect the physiology of their neighbours through root connections, but the level on physiological integration between trees is not known. For example, we do not know to what extent (spatially and quantitatively) C reserves and resources are shared between trees, and in particular, how relationships of competition vs cooperation affect forest dynamics. We have previously shown that root connections are found in most forest stands of the boreal forest, using exploratory approaches. We found many trees grafted to live roots of dead trees; this indicates that connected trees provide energy to linked root systems to keep them alive. We will use field and lab experiments to demonstrate the «cost» of supporting large underground biomass from communal root systems, and how trees can vegetatively regenerate trees from different genotypes with root grafting. We will also examine competitive vs cooperative relationships between trees interconnected through their root system. This research has the potential to impact classical notions of forest ecology that consider trees as distinct individuals, strictly competing for resources with each other. If the level of physiological integration is found to be high, forest management practices may also need to be changed.