Pattern and process in above‐ground and below‐ground components of grassland ecosystems

Abstract. This paper describes patterns of below‐ground components in grassland ecosystems. It provides estimates of the contribution of below‐ground organs to the total phytomass of the community and of different species to the below‐ground phytomass; it describes the distribution of above‐ and below‐ ground organs of different species and the spatial and temporal correlation between above‐ground and below‐ground phyto‐mass – both total standing crop and net primary production. 10 Siberian grasslands (meadows and steppes) were investigated during 15 yr. Ca. 70 % of the living phytomass is located in the soil and no less than 70 % of the net primary production is allocated in below‐ground organs. Phytomass distribution in the soil layer is more homogeneous than above‐ground. For some species the spatial distribution within 1‐m 2 plots of the green and below‐ground phytomass is similar, for others it is quantitatively or qualitatively different. According to the dominance‐diversity curve, the above‐ground size hierarchy is much stronger than the below‐ground one. The active growth of above‐ and below‐ground organs of a species may occur at different times of the season and it varies from year to year. Allocation of organic substances to rhizomes and roots occurs simultaneously and with proportional intensity.