Leading dimensions in absorptive root trait variation across 96 subtropical forest species

Absorptive root traits show remarkable cross-species variation, but major root trait dimensions across species have not been defined. We sampled first-order roots and measured 14 root traits for 96 angiosperm woody species from subtropical China, including root diameter, specific root length, stele diameter, cortex thickness, root vessel size and density, mycorrhizal colonization rate, root branching intensity, tissue density, and concentrations of carbon and nitrogen ([N]). Root traits differed in the degree of variation and phylogenetic conservatism, but showed predictable patterns of cross-trait coordination. Root diameter, cortex thickness and stele diameter displayed high variation across species…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Award: 31325006
• NK
  National Key Research and Development Program of China

  Award: 2010CB950602