Response of woody plant fine-root functional traits to experimental warming revealed by meta-analysis

The fine root (diameter ≤2 mm) serves as the primary plant organ for nutrient and water uptake, as well as playing a crucial role in carbon and nutrient cycling. The impact of global warming on vegetation dynamics and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems is complex and not well understood, particularly when it comes to the response of fine-root traits in forest ecosystems.

To explore the effects of warming on fine-root traits in woody plants, Dr. Zhao Xiaoxiang from the Wuhan Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences conducted a meta-analysis. The meta-analysis analyzed 431 paired observations from 78 studies worldwide, focusing on 13 fine-root traits.

The study also examined the influence of warming magnitude, duration, and climatic conditions on the effects of warming on these fine-root traits. The findings of the study, titled “The effect of experimental warming on fine root functional traits of woody plants: Data synthesis,” were published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.

According to the researchers, warming had minimal effects on fine-root biomass, root production, and morphological traits. However, warming did result in an increase in fine-root nitrogen (N) concentration, root respiration, and root mortality, while decreasing root nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) concentration, fine-root phosphorus concentration, and root C:N ratio.

As the magnitude of warming increased, the effects on fine-root biomass and root diameter decreased. Additionally, the effects of warming on specific root length and root length shifted from negative/no change to positive. The effects on root C:N ratio shifted from negative to no change with longer warming durations.

Furthermore, the study found that as mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation increased, the effects of warming on root biomass, root diameter, root length, and root C:N ratio decreased. Conversely, the effect of warming on fine-root nitrogen concentration increased.

These results highlight the ability of warming to regulate fine-root traits in response to environmental changes. Additionally, the effects of warming on fine-root traits are influenced by the duration and magnitude of warming, as well as climatic conditions.

This study enhances our understanding of how fine-roots in shrub and tree-dominated ecosystems respond to climate change, and contributes to our knowledge of belowground forest processes under changing climate conditions.

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