Root traits as drivers of plant and ecosystem functioning: current understanding, pitfalls and future research needs

• Published in: The New phytologist Vol. 232; no. 3; pp. 1123 - 1158
• Main Authors: Freschet, Grégoire T., Roumet, Catherine, Comas, Louise H., Weemstra, Monique, Bengough, A. Glyn, Rewald, Boris, Bardgett, Richard D., De Deyn, Gerlinde B., Johnson, David, Klimešová, Jitka, Lukac, Martin, McCormack, M. Luke, Meier, Ina C., Pagès, Loïc, Poorter, Hendrik, Prieto, Iván, Wurzburger, Nina, Zadworny, Marcin, Bagniewska‐Zadworna, Agnieszka, Blancaflor, Elison B., Brunner, Ivano, Gessler, Arthur, Hobbie, Sarah E., Iversen, Colleen M., Mommer, Liesje, Picon‐Cochard, Catherine, Postma, Johannes A., Rose, Laura, Ryser, Peter, Scherer‐Lorenzen, Michael, Soudzilovskaia, Nadejda A., Sun, Tao, Valverde‐Barrantes, Oscar J., Weigelt, Alexandra, York, Larry M., Stokes, Alexia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.11.2021; Wiley
• Subjects: Agronomy; BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES; belowground ecology; Biomechanics; Biosphere; chemistry; Ecological function; Ecology; Ecophysiology; ecosystem properties and processes; Ecosystems; environmental gradients; ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; Genotypes; Geosphere; Morphology; Physiology; plant functions; Plant physiology; root systems; root traits; soil science; Soil sciences; spatial and temporal scales; terrestrial ecosystems; time series analysis; trait causal relationships; trait covariation; root traits; trait covariation; spatial and temporal scales; belowground ecology; ecosystem properties and processes; environmental gradients; plant functions; trait causal relationships

Summary 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...