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Updated: Apr 20, 2026

A Simple Protocol for Mapping the Plant Root System Architecture Traits

A Simple Protocol for Mapping the Plant Root System Architecture Traits

Published on: February 10, 2023

Going underground: root traits as drivers of ecosystem processes.

Richard D Bardgett¹, Liesje Mommer², Franciska T De Vries¹

¹Faculty of Life Sciences, Michael Smith Building, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

|December 3, 2014

Summary

Root traits significantly influence ecosystem processes like carbon cycling and soil structure. This study synthesizes evidence on root traits

Keywords:

carbon cycling global change nutrient cycling plant functional traits roots soil soil structure

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Area of Science:

Ecology
Plant Science
Soil Science

Background:

Ecologists increasingly use trait-based approaches to link community change to ecosystem processes.
Research has primarily focused on aboveground plant traits, neglecting the significant role of root traits.
Root traits are crucial for carbon and nutrient cycling, and soil formation and stability.

Purpose of the Study:

To synthesize emerging evidence on how root traits impact ecosystem processes.
To propose a framework for understanding the complex roles of root traits in ecosystem functioning.
To identify research challenges and novel technologies for studying root traits and global change impacts.

Main Methods:

Literature synthesis of existing research on root traits and ecosystem processes.
Conceptual framework development to connect root traits to ecosystem functions.
Identification of research gaps and technological advancements.

Main Results:

Root traits demonstrably influence key ecosystem processes, including carbon and nutrient cycling.
Root traits play a critical role in soil formation and structural stability.
A pathway is proposed to better understand root trait impacts on ecosystems under global change.

Conclusions:

Root traits are vital, yet understudied, drivers of ecosystem processes.
Further research integrating root traits is essential for predicting ecosystem responses to global change.
Novel technologies are needed to overcome current research challenges in root trait analysis.