Global patterns in fine root decomposition: climate, chemistry, mycorrhizal association and woodiness

Fine root decomposition constitutes a critical yet poorly understood flux of carbon and nutrients in terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we present the first large‐scale synthesis of species trait effects on the early stages of fine root decomposition at both global and local scales. Based on decompositio...

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Published inEcology letters Vol. 22; no. 6; pp. 946 - 953
Main Authors See, Craig R., Luke McCormack, Michael, Hobbie, Sarah E., Flores‐Moreno, Habacuc, Silver, Whendee L., Kennedy, Peter G., Gessner, Mark
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.06.2019
Subjects
Calcium
Carbon cycling
decay
Decomposition
Functional groups
Leaves
Lignin
MANE framework
Meta-analysis
nutrient cycling
Nutrients
Organic chemistry
organic matter
Phosphorus
plant economics spectrum
plant functional traits
plant litter
soil organic matter
Temperature effects
Terrestrial ecosystems
Terrestrial environments
plant economics spectrum
MANE framework
Carbon cycling
plant litter
meta-analysis
organic matter
decay
plant functional traits
soil organic matter
nutrient cycling
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Summary:Fine root decomposition constitutes a critical yet poorly understood flux of carbon and nutrients in terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we present the first large‐scale synthesis of species trait effects on the early stages of fine root decomposition at both global and local scales. Based on decomposition rates for 279 plant species across 105 studies and 176 sites, we found that mycorrhizal association and woodiness are the best categorical traits for predicting rates of fine root decomposition. Consistent positive effects of nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations and negative effects of lignin concentration emerged on decomposition rates within sites. Similar relationships were present across sites, along with positive effects of temperature and moisture. Calcium was not consistently related to decomposition rate at either scale. While the chemical drivers of fine root decomposition parallel those of leaf decomposition, our results indicate that the best plant functional groups for predicting fine root decomposition differ from those predicting leaf decomposition.
Bibliography:SourceType-Other Sources-1
content type line 63
ObjectType-Correspondence-1
ISSN:1461-023X
1461-0248
DOI:10.1111/ele.13248