TY - GEN A1 - Garcia de la Riva, Enrique A1 - Ignacio Querejeta, José A1 - Villar, Rafael A1 - Pérez-Ramos, Ignacio Manuel A1 - Marañón, Teodoro A1 - Galán Díaz, Javier A1 - Tomás Marín, Sergio de A1 - Prieto, Iván T1 - The Economics Spectrum Drives Root Trait Strategies in Mediterranean Vegetation T2 - Frontiers in Plant Science N2 - Extensive research efforts are devoted to understand fine root trait variation and to confirm the existence of a belowground root economics spectrum (RES) from acquisitive to conservative root strategies that is analogous to the leaf economics spectrum (LES). The economics spectrum implies a trade-off between maximizing resource acquisition and productivity or maximizing resource conservation and longevity; however, this theoretical framework still remains controversial for roots. We compiled a database of 320 Mediterranean woody and herbaceous species to critically assess if the classic economics spectrum theory can be broadly extended to roots. Fine roots displayed a wide diversity of forms and properties in Mediterranean vegetation, resulting in a multidimensional trait space. The main trend of variation in this multidimensional root space is analogous to the main axis of LES, while the second trend of variation is partially determined by an anatomical trade-off between tissue density and diameter. Specific root area (SRA) is the main trait explaining species distribution along the RES, regardless of the selected traits. We advocate for the need to unify and standardize the criteria and approaches used within the economics framework between leaves and roots, for the sake of theoretical consistency. KW - ecophysiology KW - ine root strategies KW - non-mass normalized traits KW - root anatomy KW - root economic spectrum KW - specific root area KW - specific root length Y1 - 2021 UR - https://opus4.kobv.de/opus4-UBICO/frontdoor/index/index/docId/28207 IS - 12 ER -