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Below-ground frontiers in trait-based plant ecology.

Etienne Laliberté1

  • 1Centre sur la biodiversité, Institut de recherche en biologie végétale, Département de sciences biologiques, Université de Montréal, 4101 Sherbrooke Est, Montréal, Québec, H1X 2B2, Canada.

The New Phytologist
|October 14, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Trait-based plant ecology needs more focus on below-ground traits for predicting biodiversity changes and ecosystem functions. Researching root traits and their soil interactions is crucial for ecological predictions.

Keywords:
community assemblycomparative ecologyecosystem processesfine rootsfunctional traitmycorrhizanutrient acquisitionsoil carbon

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Area of Science:

  • Plant ecology
  • Soil science
  • Ecosystem functioning

Background:

  • Trait-based approaches have advanced plant ecology.
  • Current research is biased toward above-ground plant traits.
  • Below-ground traits are critical for predicting biodiversity and ecosystem changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the need for increased emphasis on below-ground traits in plant ecology.
  • To propose six key research frontiers for below-ground trait-based ecology.
  • To improve the predictive capacity of trait-based ecology across scales.

Main Methods:

  • Focus on traits governing soil nutrient acquisition.
  • Redefining fine roots.
  • Quantifying root trait dimensionality.
  • Integrating mycorrhizal fungi.
  • Broadening the suite of studied root traits.
  • Determining trait linkages with environmental factors.
  • Understanding ecosystem-level consequences of root traits.

Main Results:

  • Six below-ground frontiers are proposed for future research.
  • Integrating below-ground traits enhances ecological predictions.
  • Understanding root traits is key to ecosystem functioning.

Conclusions:

  • A stronger emphasis on below-ground traits is essential for plant ecology.
  • Addressing the proposed frontiers will advance trait-based ecology.
  • This research aims to enhance predictive capacity in ecology.