Root structure-function relationships in 74 species: evidence of a root economics spectrum related to carbon economy

The New Phytologist
Catherine RoumetAlexia Stokes

Abstract

Although fine roots are important components of the global carbon cycle, there is limited understanding of root structure-function relationships among species. We determined whether root respiration rate and decomposability, two key processes driving carbon cycling but always studied separately, varied with root morphological and chemical traits, in a coordinated way that would demonstrate the existence of a root economics spectrum (RES). Twelve traits were measured on fine roots (diameter ≤ 2 mm) of 74 species (31 graminoids and 43 herbaceous and dwarf shrub eudicots) collected in three biomes. The findings of this study support the existence of a RES representing an axis of trait variation in which root respiration was positively correlated to nitrogen concentration and specific root length and negatively correlated to the root dry matter content, lignin : nitrogen ratio and the remaining mass after decomposition. This pattern of traits was highly consistent within graminoids but less consistent within eudicots, as a result of an uncoupling between decomposability and morphology, and of heterogeneity of individual roots of eudicots within the fine-root pool. The positive relationship found between root respiration and decompo...Continue Reading

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Citations

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 14, 2017·The New Phytologist·Marina SemchenkoAnu Lepik
Nov 8, 2017·The New Phytologist·Anthony P WalkerStan D Wullschleger
Oct 10, 2018·The New Phytologist·Adrienne B Keller, Richard P Phillips
Dec 24, 2018·Ecology·Joshua S CaplanM Luke McCormack
May 19, 2019·Nature Communications·Deliang KongYulong Feng
May 14, 2016·The New Phytologist·Monique WeemstraFrank J Sterck
Sep 27, 2018·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Tao SunStephan Hättenschwiler
Nov 5, 2019·Frontiers in Plant Science·M Luke McCormack, Colleen M Iversen
May 31, 2018·Annals of Botany·Zhun MaoAlexia Stokes
May 12, 2018·Oecologia·Katharina MausolfAndreas Fichtner
Sep 17, 2020·Science Advances·Joana BergmannLiesje Mommer
Jul 11, 2018·Frontiers in Plant Science·Fabiane M Mundim, Elizabeth G Pringle
Sep 27, 2018·Ecology and Evolution·Julien P GuyonnetFeth El Zahar Haichar
Apr 3, 2020·American Journal of Botany·Julia I BurtonKlaus J Puettmann
Mar 3, 2020·Frontiers in Plant Science·Natalia Sierra CornejoChristoph Leuschner
Apr 26, 2019·Frontiers in Microbiology·Andrew MatthewsBen Raymond
Sep 24, 2020·Annals of Botany·Guy M TaseskiWilliam K Cornwell

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