Session 5.2 Quantification of tree root distribution and biomass

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This document summarizes research using ground penetrating radar to study tree root distribution and biomass in agroforestry systems. The research aims to non-intrusively quantify belowground tree biomass, detect root distribution patterns, and examine intraspecific and interspecific root plasticity across tree species. Results show that ground penetrating radar can accurately estimate tree root biomass and detect coarse root distributions down to 1 meter deep. Studies find distinct rooting patterns between tree species and plasticity in rooting depth and distribution within species. The research has implications for carbon storage estimates, nutrient acquisition zones, and intercropping system design based on tree root function.

Education

New tools and paradigms

Using Ground Penetrating Radar
in Agroforestry Systems:
Quantification of Tree Root
Distribution and Biomass
Kira A. Borden & Dr. Marney E. Isaac
University of Toronto, Canada

Managed multispecies ecosystems
• Interspecific variation
• Intraspecific plasticity

• Community-level
processes

Photo credits: M. Isaac

The hidden halfof trees
• 20 to 40% of tree biomass
located belowground (Brunner
and Godbold 2007)

• Trade-offs relating to
nutrient acquisition between
competition and improved
cycling

• Research limited by
methodological constraints
Photo credit: M. Isaac

Non-intrusive belowground study

k = dielectric constant of a medium

Figure from Isaac & Anglaaere, 2013, Ecology and Evolution

Coarse root detections
0.5 m

0.5 m

0.7 m
Photo credits: K. Borden

Objectives
Biomass estimation
Distribution detection

Tree-based intercropping
Canada

Photo credit: K. Borden

C storage
Nutrient acquisition

Cocoa-shade
Ghana

Photo credit: M. Isaac

Radar signal reflections

Thuja
occidentalis

y

x

Biomass estimation

5.1g

66.9 cm2

82.2g

355.7 cm2
Borden et al. under review

Biomass estimation

P = 0.0003
Photo credit: K. Borden

54.1 ± 8.7 kg tree1

(n=12)
54.8 ± 8.3 kg tree-1
(n=12)
Photo credit: K. Borden

Borden et al. under review

Distribution detection

Figure from Isaac & Anglaaere, 2013, Ecology and Evolution

20

50
60
70

5
4
3
2
1
0

0

0

1
1

2

3
3

2

X (m)

x (m)

4

4

5

1

3

2

y (m)

4

Y (m)

-0.4

40

-0.5

30

-0.6

-0.3

10

-0.7

Depth (m)

-0.2

Depth (cm)

-0.1

0.0

Reflection points of detected spruce tree roots

Interspecific root plasticity
Picea abies

n=2

Juglans nigra

n=3

• Coarse root depth data
show distinct rooting
patterns across five tree
species
• Deep-rooted tree species
below crop rooting zone

Borden et al. in preparation

Intraspecific root plasticity

(n = 12)

Isaac et al. 2014, Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment

Importance to agroforestry
Biomass estimation
Distribution detection

C storage
Nutrient acquisition

C storage species-specific root C
concentrations

Acquisition zones δ18O isotopic signature
matching

Site-level C storage in coarse roots:
2.3 Mg C ha-1 (Borden et al. under
review)

Larger zone of acquisition for cocoa with
shade tree under sandy loam soils (Isaac
et al. 2014)

Thank you
World Congress on Agroforestry conference organizers
Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (Dr.
Luke Anglaaere, Dr. Stephen Adu-Bredu)
The Faculty of Forestry, University of
Toronto (Dr. Sean Thomas)
The University of Guelph, Canada (Dr.
Naresh Thevathasan, Dr. Andrew
Gordon, Amy Wotherspoon)
Photo credit: K. Borden

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research
Council of Canada

This document discusses using ground penetrating radar to study tree root distribution and biomass in agroforestry systems. It summarizes that ground penetrating radar allows non-intrusive study of the belowground portion of trees, which makes up 20-40% of tree biomass. The document outlines that the technique was used to estimate biomass, detect root distribution patterns, and study intraspecific and interspecific root plasticity across five tree species. Key findings included quantifying over 50 kg of coarse root biomass per tree and detecting distinct deep rooting patterns between species. The research helps understand carbon storage, nutrient acquisition, and intercropping functions supported by tree root systems in agroforestry.

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