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Root traits as drivers of plant and ecosystem functioning: current understanding, pitfalls and future research needs
- Source :
- New Phytologist, 232(3), New Phytologist, New Phytologist, 2021, 232 (3), pp.1123-1158. ⟨10.1111/nph.17072⟩, New Phytologist 232 (2021) 3, New Phytologist, Wiley, 2021, 232 (3), pp.1123-1158. ⟨10.1111/nph.17072⟩
- Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- International audience; The effects of plants on the biosphere, atmosphere and geosphere are key determinants of terrestrial ecosystem functioning. However, despite substantial progress made regarding plant belowground components, we are still only beginning to explore the complex relationships between root traits and functions. Drawing on the literature in plant physiology, ecophysiology, ecology, agronomy and soil science, we reviewed 24 aspects of plant and ecosystem functioning and their relationships with a number of root system traits, including aspects of architecture, physiology, morphology, anatomy, chemistry, biomechanics and biotic interactions. Based on this assessment, we critically evaluated the current strengths and gaps in our knowledge, and identify future research challenges in the field of root ecology. Most importantly, we found that belowground traits with the broadest importance in plant and ecosystem functioning are not those most commonly measured. Also, the estimation of trait relative importance for functioning requires us to consider a more comprehensive range of functionally relevant traits from a diverse range of species, across environments and over time series. We also advocate that establishing causal hierarchical links among root traits will provide a hypothesis-based framework to identify the most parsimonious sets of traits with the strongest links on functions, and to link genotypes to plant and ecosystem functioning.
- Subjects :
- 0106 biological sciences
0301 basic medicine
Root (linguistics)
spatial and temporal scales
Physiology
Ecology (disciplines)
belowground ecology
Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation
Plant Science
Biology
01 natural sciences
03 medical and health sciences
plant functions
Ecosystem
ecosystem properties and processes
environmental gradients
trait covariation
Bodembiologie
Ecology
trait causal relationships
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Research needs
Soil Biology
15. Life on land
Plants
PE&RC
030104 developmental biology
Phenotype
root traits
13. Climate action
[SDE]Environmental Sciences
Trait
Plantenecologie en Natuurbeheer
Terrestrial ecosystem
010606 plant biology & botany
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0028646X and 14698137
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- New Phytologist, 232(3), New Phytologist, New Phytologist, 2021, 232 (3), pp.1123-1158. ⟨10.1111/nph.17072⟩, New Phytologist 232 (2021) 3, New Phytologist, Wiley, 2021, 232 (3), pp.1123-1158. ⟨10.1111/nph.17072⟩
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....bb4defacbe0772d66d2485b325ee3dd1