Nonlinearity of root trait relationships and the root economics spectrum

Kong, Deliang1; Wang, Junjian2; Wu, Huifang3; Valverde-Barrantes, Oscar J.4; Wang, Ruili5; Zeng, Hui6; Kardol, Paul7; Zhang, Haiyan1; Feng, Yulong1

2019-05-17

10.1038/s41467-019-10245-6

Nature Communications   影响因子和分区

2041-1723

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.

SCI

英语

ESI高被引

通讯

National Natural Science Foundation of China[31670550] ; National Natural Science Foundation of China[31870552] ; National Natural Science Foundation of China[31470575] ; National Natural Science Foundation of China[31670545]

Science & Technology - Other Topics

Multidisciplinary Sciences

WOS:000468174600003

NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP

Web of Science

1.Shenyang Agr Univ, Liaoning Key Lab Biol Invas & Global Change, Shenyang 110866, Liaoning, Peoples R China
2.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Sch Environm Sci & Engn, Guangdong Prov Key Lab Soil & Groundwater Pollut, Shenzhen 518055, Peoples R China
3.Henan Univ, Sch Life Sci, Kaifeng 475004, Peoples R China
4.Florida Int Univ, Int Ctr Trop Bot, Miami, FL 33199 USA
5.Northwest A&F Univ, Coll Forestry, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, Peoples R China
6.Peking Univ, Key Lab Urban Habitat Environm Sci & Technol, Shenzhen Grad Sch, Shenzhen 518005, Peoples R China
7.Swedish Univ Agr Sci, Dept Forest Ecol & Management, S-90183 Umea, Sweden

Kong, Deliang,Wang, Junjian,Wu, Huifang,et al. Nonlinearity of root trait relationships and the root economics spectrum[J]. Nature Communications,2019,10.

Kong, Deliang.,Wang, Junjian.,Wu, Huifang.,Valverde-Barrantes, Oscar J..,Wang, Ruili.,...&Feng, Yulong.(2019).Nonlinearity of root trait relationships and the root economics spectrum.Nature Communications,10.

Kong, Deliang,et al."Nonlinearity of root trait relationships and the root economics spectrum".Nature Communications 10(2019).