Sammanfattning

The root economics spectrum (RES), a common hypothesis postulating a tradeoff between resource acquisition and conservation traits, is being challenged by conflicting relationships between root diameter, tissue density (RTD) and root nitrogen concentration (RN). Here, we analyze a global trait dataset of absorptive roots for over 800 plant species. For woody species (but not for non-woody species), we find nonlinear relationships between root diameter and RTD and RN, which stem from the allometric relationship between stele and cortical tissues. These nonlinear relationships explain how sampling bias from different ends of the nonlinear curves can result in conflicting trait relationships. Further, the shape of the relationships varies depending on evolutionary context and mycorrhizal affiliation. Importantly, the observed nonlinear trait relationships do not support the RES predictions. Allometry-based nonlinearity of root trait relationships improves our understanding of the ecology, physiology and evolution of absorptive roots.

Publicerad i

Nature Communications
2019, Volym: 10, artikelnummer: 2203
Utgivare: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP

SLU författare

• Kardol, Paul

  • Institutionen för skogens ekologi och skötsel, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

UKÄ forskningsämne

Evolutionsbiologi
Ekologi
Botanik


Publikationens identifierare

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-10245-6

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/100451