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The Economics Spectrum Drives Root Trait Strategies in Mediterranean Vegetation

  • 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 theExtensive 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.show moreshow less

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Author: Enrique Garcia de la RivaORCiD, José Ignacio Querejeta, Rafael VillarORCiD, Ignacio Manuel Pérez-RamosORCiD, Teodoro MarañónORCiD, Javier Galán DíazORCiD, Sergio de Tomás Marín, Iván PrietoORCiD
DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.773118
Title of the source (English):Frontiers in Plant Science
Document Type:Scientific journal article peer-reviewed
Language:English
Year of publication:2021
Tag:ecophysiology; ine root strategies; non-mass normalized traits; root anatomy; root economic spectrum; specific root area; specific root length
Issue number:12
Number of pages:10
Faculty/Chair:Fakultät 2 Umwelt und Naturwissenschaften / FG Ökologie
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