Redefining fine roots improves understanding of below-ground contributions to terrestrial biosphere processes

The New Phytologist
M Luke McCormackMarcin Zadworny

Abstract

Fine roots acquire essential soil resources and mediate biogeochemical cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Estimates of carbon and nutrient allocation to build and maintain these structures remain uncertain because of the challenges of consistently measuring and interpreting fine-root systems. Traditionally, fine roots have been defined as all roots ≤ 2 mm in diameter, yet it is now recognized that this approach fails to capture the diversity of form and function observed among fine-root orders. Here, we demonstrate how order-based and functional classification frameworks improve our understanding of dynamic root processes in ecosystems dominated by perennial plants. In these frameworks, fine roots are either separated into individual root orders or functionally defined into a shorter-lived absorptive pool and a longer-lived transport fine-root pool. Using these frameworks, we estimate that fine-root production and turnover represent 22% of terrestrial net primary production globally - a c. 30% reduction from previous estimates assuming a single fine-root pool. Future work developing tools to rapidly differentiate functional fine-root classes, explicit incorporation of mycorrhizal fungi into fine-root studies, and wider adoption...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jun 16, 2016·The New Phytologist·Marcin ZadwornyJacek Oleksyn
Aug 31, 2016·The New Phytologist·Richard W Zobel
Oct 14, 2016·The New Phytologist·Etienne Laliberté
Mar 1, 2017·The New Phytologist·Colleen M IversenCyrille Violle
Jun 1, 2017·The New Phytologist·Richard J Norby, Colleen M Iversen
Jun 7, 2017·The New Phytologist·Ivika OstonenJaak Truu
Mar 1, 2018·The New Phytologist·Anthony P Walker
Jan 5, 2018·Ecology and Evolution·Stefan TrogischHelge Bruelheide
Sep 13, 2017·The New Phytologist·Joana BergmannMatthias C Rillig
Aug 8, 2018·Global Change Biology·Gina MillsMadhoolika Agrawal
Nov 30, 2018·Ecology Letters·Guangshui ChenDavid Robinson
Jan 5, 2019·Ecology Letters·Christopher W FernandezPeter G Kennedy
Dec 24, 2018·Ecology·Joshua S CaplanM Luke McCormack
May 15, 2015·The New Phytologist·David M EissenstatRoger T Koide

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