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Our knowledge of the nature of belowground competition for moisture and nutrients is limited. In this study, we used an earth impedance method to determine the root absorbing area of Sitka spruce ( Picea sitchensis  (Bong.) Carr.) trees, making measurements in stands of differing density (2-, 4- and 6-m inter-tree spacing). We compared absorbing root area index ( RAI  absorbing ; based on the impedance measure) with fine root area index ( RAI  fine ; based on estimates of total surface area of fine roots) and related these results to investment in conductive roots. Root absorbing area was a near-linear function of tree stem diameter at 1.3 m height. At the stand level,  RAI  absorbing , which is analogous to and scaled with transpiring leaf area index (maximum stomatal pore area per unit ground area;  LAI  transpiring ), increased proportionally with basal area across the three stands. In contrast,  RAI  fine  was inversely propotional to basal area. The ratio of  RAI  absorbing  to  LAI  transpiring  ranged from 7.7 to 17.1, giving an estimate of the relative aboveground versus belowground resource exchange areas. RAI absorbing  provides a way of characterizing ecosystem functioning as a physiologically meaningful index of belowground absorbing area.

Estimates and relationships between aboveground and belowground resource exchange surface areas in a Sitka spruce managed forest