Investigation of root biomass and root carbon and nitrogen stocks in ash tree and alder species in Bursa Karacabey floodplain forests

With the study, the first data were obtained from pure ash and alder stands on the amount of roots and root carbon and root nitrogen stocks in floodplain forests, which is a subject ignored in biomass studies carried out in our country and in this study, it has been revealed that besides above-ground biomass, below- ground root biomass is among the important causes of high organic carbon and nitrogen accumulation in floodplain forests. This present study aimed at determining the root mass, root carbon and root nitrogen stocks of flooded forests with numerical data as well as to determine the effect of tree species and stand development ages Root amount. For this purpose, the roots of a total of 15 trees from 5 different stand types (Alc, Ald, Asc, Asd, Ase) were removed from the soil by using an excavator, and the remaining roots were collected by hand. After that, all root samples were brought to the Soil Science and Ecology Lab. The samples were classified into three categories (<1 cm, 1-4 cm, > 4 cm) and weighed. The carbon and nitrogen percentages contained in each diameter class were determined and the diameter class was multiplied by the root amount to calculate the carbon and nitrogen amount in the sample trees and then the carbon and nitrogen stock in 1-hectare area. Root carbon percentages in ash and alder stands were slightly lower than in other studies. While nitrogen percentages of roots in ash and alder stands were less than 1 cm in diameter compared to other studies, it was found similar in roots with diameters between 1-4 cm. It was found more in roots over 4 cm in diameter. According to the data obtained from the study, flooded forests have much more root carbon and nitrogen stocks compared to terrestrial forests. With the study, it has been determined that flooded forests have much more root carbon and nitrogen stocks compared to terrestrial forests.