『Abstract
The quantification of silicon (Si) uptake by tree species is
a mandatory step to study the role of forest vegetations in the
global cycle of Si. Forest tree species can impact the hydrological
output of dissolved Si (DSi) through root induced weathering of
silicates but also through Si uptake and restitution via litterfall.
Here, monospecific stands of Douglas fir, Norway spruce, Black
pine, European beech and oak established in identical soil and
climate conditions were used to quantify Si uptake, immobilization
and restitution. We measured the Si contents in various compartments
of the soil-tree system and we further studied the impact of the
recycling of Si by forest trees on the DSi pool. Si is mainly
accumulated in leaves and needles in comparison with other tree
compartments (branches, stembark and stemwood). The immobilization
of Si in tree biomass represents less than 15% of the total Si
uptake. Annual Si uptake by oak and European beech stands is 18.5
and 23.3 kg ha-1 year-1, respectively. Black
pine has a very low annual Si uptake (2.3 kg ha-1 year-1)
in comparison with Douglas fir (30.6 kg ha-1 year-1)
and Norway spruce (43.5 kg ha-1 year-1).
The recycling of Si by forest trees plays a major role in the
continental Si cycle since tree species greatly influence the
uptake and restitution of Si. Moreover, we remark that the annual
tree uptake is negatively correlated with the annual DSi output
at 60 cm depth. The land-ocean fluxes of DSi are certainly influenced
by geochemical processes such as weathering of primary minerals
and formation of secondary minerals but also by biological processes
such as root uptake.
Keywords: Phytolith; Silicon cycle; Temperate forest; Tree species』
Introduction
Materials and methods
Experimental site
Materials
Tree compartments
Forest floor horizons
Soil organo-mineral and mineral layers
Solutions
Biomass evaluation
Analytical methods
Si contents in tree compartments
Si contents in organic horizons
Si content in organo-mineral and mineral layers
Si content in solutions
Microscopic analysis
Determination of Al and Ti contents in selected samples
Statistical analyses
Results
Si contents in the various compartments of the soil-tree
system
Tree parts
Organic horizons and soil layers
Solutions
BSi and ASi particles morphologies
Total Al and Ti content in the selected samples
Discussion
Si uptake by forest trees
DSi output
Origin of Si in organic horizons
Budget of Si in the soil-tree system
Implications
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References