Carbon Dynamics and Belowground Productivity (LT16, 17)
Dan Milchunas, Dept of Forest, Range, and Watershed Stewardship, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, Co 80523
970-491-6691 dannym@cnr.colostate.edu
Bill Laurenroth, Dept of Forest, Range, and Watershed Stewardship, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, Co 80523
970-491-7581 billl@cnr.colostate.edu
Objective: Field test the 14C-dilution method of estimating root, crown, and aboveground production and compare with estimates obtained by traditional harvest maxima-minima and 14C-turnover methods of estimating production. Long-term estimates of root biomass are also obtained in order to assess fluctuations from year to year in response to abiotic conditions.
Methods: 14C: 5 cores X 8 labeled locations X 2 depths Root harvest (non-labeled plots to north of labeled plots): 5 cores X 8 locations X 1 depth (20cm)
Study Area: 21S- west of the ESA plots
Related Publication: Milchunas, D.G., and W.K. Lauenroth. 2001. Belowground Primary Production by Carbon Isotope Decay and Longterm Root Biomass Dynamics. Ecosystems. 4: 139-150.
Methods and Experimental Design (pdf)
01/22/2008