Simulating mycorrhiza contribution to forest C- and N cycling-the MYCOFON model
2010
Meyer, A. | Grote, R. | Polle, A. | Butterbach-Bahl, K.
Although mycorrhiza has been identified to be of major importance for plant nutrition and ecosystem stability, existing C- and N- simulation models on the ecosystem scale do not explicitly consider the feedbacks between ectomycorrhizal fungi and plants. We present a simple dynamic feedback model which allows estimating the main C- and N- flows between ectomycorrhizal fungi and tree roots in order to test the sensitivity of the system fungus-tree to environmental parameters and to assess the fungal contribution to plant N nutrition. Sensitivity tests carried out showed that the model responses to variations of model parameters, particularly with regard to N availability, are in agreement with published results from field and laboratory studies. However, there are still some processes and parameters which are not well constrained. Fungal N uptake rates and the ratio between mycelium, hartig net, and mantle biomass are parameters which significantly affect model results but for which published data are scarce or missing. Nevertheless, the model is already providing a platform to test our understanding of the importance of mycorrhiza for forest stand nutrition. Future coupling to a mechanistic ecosystem model will allow simulating the importance of mycorrhization for e.g. stand growth and C and N retention.
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