Contribution of fine roots on carbon allocation patterns in Norwegian forests

Abstract. Boreal forests play a key role in the global carbon (C) cycle, with fine root production and turnover contributing to belowground C fluxes and inputs to soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. However, fine root biomass and production are difficult to quantify and introduce uncertainty in estimates of net primary production (NPP), limiting the assessment of C allocation patterns in boreal forests.

The objective of the present study was to assess how different fine root modelling approaches influence estimates of NPP, gross primary production (GPP), carbon use efficiency (CUE), and belowground C allocation to fine roots in Norwegian boreal and nemo-boreal forests. Using Norway’s national forest resource map together with MODIS remote sensing data, we estimated fine root biomass and production using three approaches that differed in how foliage biomass was derived: two based on leaf area index (from MODIS or the forest resource map) and one based on allometric biomass equations. These approaches were combined with alternative fine-root turnover rates and foliage-to-fine-root biomass ratios.

Mean NPP derived from the forest resource map ranged from 318 to 243 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹ across young to mature forests. In Norway spruce and Scots pine forests, NPP increased during early stand development, peaked between 50 and 80 years, and declined with increasing age. Comparison against European MODIS NPP revealed that tree growth alone accounted for 16 % of MODIS NPP, while including fine root and understory NPP contributions increased total NPP by roughly 3–5 times, depending on the fine root estimation method. CUE ranged from 0.30 to 0.63, showing age-related declines and species-level variation, with the lowest values in mature Norway spruce forests.

Our analysis sheds light on the role of fine root biomass and production in forest C budgeting and their influence on NPP, CUE, and belowground C allocation.  Excluding fine roots creates a major gap in forest C analyses and we conclude that the choice of method for fine root estimation has a strong impact on regional NPP and its component fluxes. Estimates of forest CUE may guide management by identifying areas with low efficiency, where interventions may enhance C sequestration.