Aboveground, belowground biomass, and morphological fine root characteristics of temperate tree regeneration

Along a gradient of mean annual precipitation (mm a-1), mean annual temperature (°C a-1) and nitrogen deposition (kg N ha-1 a-1) in Germany, biomass allocation and fine root morphology of 4 temperate tree species (Fagus sylvatica, Quercus petraea, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies alba) were characterised. Variables measured were aboveground and belowground biomass (both in g), specific root length (cm mg-1), root tip frequency (tip mg-1), root tissue density (g cm-3), and mycorrhization rate (%). Co-factors that also determined biomass partitioning and root morphology were tree age, tree height (cm), upper mineral soil field capacity (V%), upper mineral soil nitrogen content (mg g-1) and canopy cover (%). A research article describing patterns in data per species is published in Ecosystems, Springer.