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-o...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Plant Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2021.773118/full |
| _version_ | 1818346169978322944 |
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| author | Enrique G. de la Riva José Ignacio Querejeta Rafael Villar Ignacio M. Pérez-Ramos Teodoro Marañón Javier Galán Díaz Sergio de Tomás Marín Iván Prieto Iván Prieto |
| author_facet | Enrique G. de la Riva José Ignacio Querejeta Rafael Villar Ignacio M. Pérez-Ramos Teodoro Marañón Javier Galán Díaz Sergio de Tomás Marín Iván Prieto Iván Prieto |
| author_sort | Enrique G. de la Riva |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T17:14:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f91727abda43413baae270e50c238467 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-462X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T17:14:00Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Plant Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-f91727abda43413baae270e50c2384672022-12-21T23:37:29ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2021-11-011210.3389/fpls.2021.773118773118The Economics Spectrum Drives Root Trait Strategies in Mediterranean VegetationEnrique G. de la Riva0José Ignacio Querejeta1Rafael Villar2Ignacio M. Pérez-Ramos3Teodoro Marañón4Javier Galán Díaz5Sergio de Tomás Marín6Iván Prieto7Iván Prieto8Department of Ecology, Brandenburg University of Technology, Cottbus, GermanyDepartamento de Conservación de Suelos y Agua, Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CEBAS-CSIC), Murcia, SpainÁrea de Ecología, Departamento de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal, Facultad de Ciencias, Córdoba, SpainInstitute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Seville (IRNAS), CSIC, Seville, SpainInstitute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Seville (IRNAS), CSIC, Seville, SpainDoñana Biological Station (EBD), CSIC, Seville, SpainDepartment of Ecology, Brandenburg University of Technology, Cottbus, GermanyDepartamento de Conservación de Suelos y Agua, Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CEBAS-CSIC), Murcia, SpainDepartamento de Ecología, Facultad de Biología y Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad de León, León, SpainExtensive 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.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2021.773118/fullecophysiologyfine root strategiesnon-mass normalized traitsroot anatomyroot economic spectrumspecific root area |
| spellingShingle | Enrique G. de la Riva José Ignacio Querejeta Rafael Villar Ignacio M. Pérez-Ramos Teodoro Marañón Javier Galán Díaz Sergio de Tomás Marín Iván Prieto Iván Prieto The Economics Spectrum Drives Root Trait Strategies in Mediterranean Vegetation Frontiers in Plant Science ecophysiology fine root strategies non-mass normalized traits root anatomy root economic spectrum specific root area |
| title | The Economics Spectrum Drives Root Trait Strategies in Mediterranean Vegetation |
| title_full | The Economics Spectrum Drives Root Trait Strategies in Mediterranean Vegetation |
| title_fullStr | The Economics Spectrum Drives Root Trait Strategies in Mediterranean Vegetation |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Economics Spectrum Drives Root Trait Strategies in Mediterranean Vegetation |
| title_short | The Economics Spectrum Drives Root Trait Strategies in Mediterranean Vegetation |
| title_sort | economics spectrum drives root trait strategies in mediterranean vegetation |
| topic | ecophysiology fine root strategies non-mass normalized traits root anatomy root economic spectrum specific root area |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2021.773118/full |
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