Journal
NEW PHYTOLOGIST
Volume 213, Issue 4, Pages 1597-1603Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/nph.14247
Keywords
community assembly; comparative ecology; ecosystem processes; fine roots; functional trait; mycorrhiza; nutrient acquisition; soil carbon
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Funding
- NSERC
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Trait-based approaches have led to significant advances in plant ecology, but are currently biased toward above-ground traits. It is becoming clear that a stronger emphasis on belowground traits is needed to better predict future changes in plant biodiversity and their consequences for ecosystem functioning. Here I propose six 'below-ground frontiers' in traitbased plant ecology, with an emphasis on traits governing soil nutrient acquisition: redefining fine roots; quantifying root trait dimensionality; integrating mycorrhizas; broadening the suite of root traits; determining linkages between root traits and abiotic and biotic factors; and understanding ecosystem-level consequences of root traits. Focusing research efforts along these frontiers should help to fulfil the promise of trait-based ecology: enhanced predictive capacity across ecological scales.
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