Proportion of Root Production in Several Temperate Grasslands of Central Europe

Variability in f_rnpp, defined as the fraction of root net primary productivity (RNPP) to total net primary productivity (TNPP) [above-ground net primary productivity (ANPP) + RNPP] were examined through synthesis of 40 samples from available field biomass data assessed by in-growth core and obtained at 13 grassland sites situated in different altitudes in the Czech and Slovak Republics. Results indicate that f_rnpp varied from 0.05 to 0.59 across the compared sites. Submontane wet meadows had larger f_rnpp and dry lowland grasslands had smaller f_rnpp However, extreme conditions of mountain sites were reflected in a decrease of f_rnpp. Thus the relationship between values of f_rnpp at different sites and altitudes was indicated by quadratic regression with the highest f_rnpp coefficients in middle altitudes, where there were sufficient amounts of precipitation together with not so extremely cold temperatures. Results also indicate a high variability in f_rnpp at a regional scale and along increasing altitude. These data show how important and different roles grasslands can play in accumulation and turnover of root biomass.