Embracing fine‐root system complexity in terrestrial ecosystem modeling

Wang, Bin; McCormack, M. Luke; Ricciuto, D. M.; Iversen, Colleen M.

doi:10.1111/gcb.16659

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 133 publications

(193 reference statements)

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“…Incorporating belowground resource partitioning would allow for a more holistic differentiation between resource‐acquisitive and resource‐conservative strategies, as well as contrasting strategies for nutrient and water acquisition and drought tolerance. In addition to variable rooting depth by PFTs, increasing model capacity for root systems and functions to respond dynamically to resource changes is an ongoing challenge for vegetation models (Wang et al ., 2023). A particular challenge is posed by model structures that are not spatially explicit within grid cells and given soil layers (Table 2; the gap models reviewed are only spatially explicit aboveground), such that resource partitioning is not possible belowground and resources are shared by all members of the community.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toward a coordinated understanding of hydro‐biogeochemical root functions in tropical forests for application in vegetation models

Cusack,

Christoffersen,

Smith‐Martin

et al. 2024

New Phytologist

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SummaryTropical forest root characteristics and resource acquisition strategies are underrepresented in vegetation and global models, hampering the prediction of forest–climate feedbacks for these carbon‐rich ecosystems. Lowland tropical forests often have globally unique combinations of high taxonomic and functional biodiversity, rainfall seasonality, and strongly weathered infertile soils, giving rise to distinct patterns in root traits and functions compared with higher latitude ecosystems. We provide a roadmap for integrating recent advances in our understanding of tropical forest belowground function into vegetation models, focusing on water and nutrient acquisition. We offer comparisons of recent advances in empirical and model understanding of root characteristics that represent important functional processes in tropical forests. We focus on: (1) fine‐root strategies for soil resource exploration, (2) coupling and trade‐offs in fine‐root water vs nutrient acquisition, and (3) aboveground–belowground linkages in plant resource acquisition and use. We suggest avenues for representing these extremely diverse plant communities in computationally manageable and ecologically meaningful groups in models for linked aboveground–belowground hydro‐nutrient functions. Tropical forests are undergoing warming, shifting rainfall regimes, and exacerbation of soil nutrient scarcity caused by elevated atmospheric CO2. The accurate model representation of tropical forest functions is crucial for understanding the interactions of this biome with the climate.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toward a coordinated understanding of hydro‐biogeochemical root functions in tropical forests for application in vegetation models

Cusack,

Christoffersen,

Smith‐Martin

et al. 2024

New Phytologist

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“…Leaf phenology serves as the primary indicator controlling plant growth under climatic changes (Fu et al., 2020; Wang et al., 2023; Xia et al., 2015). Extensive research has indicated that global warming advanced spring leaf unfolding and delayed autumn leaf senescence, thereby prolonging the growing season of plants (Buermann et al., 2018; Menzel et al., 2020; Peñuelas et al., 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drought shortens subtropical understory growing season by advancing leaf senescence

Sun,

Yan,

et al. 2024

Global Change Biology

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Subtropical forests, recognized for their intricate vertical canopy stratification, exhibit high resistance to extreme drought. However, the response of leaf phenology to drought in the species‐rich understory remains poorly understood. In this study, we constructed a digital camera system, amassing over 360,000 images through a 70% throughfall exclusion experiment, to explore the drought response of understory leaf phenology. The results revealed a significant advancement in understory leaf senescence phenology under drought, with 11.75 and 15.76 days for the start and end of the leaf‐falling event, respectively. Pre‐season temperature primarily regulated leaf development phenology, whereas soil water dominated the variability in leaf senescence phenology. Under drought conditions, temperature sensitivities for the end of leaf emergence decreased from −13.72 to −11.06 days °C−1, with insignificance observed for the start of leaf emergence. Consequently, drought treatment shortened both the length of the growing season (15.69 days) and the peak growth season (9.80 days) for understory plants. Moreover, this study identified diverse responses among intraspecies and interspecies to drought, particularly during the leaf development phase. These findings underscore the pivotal role of water availability in shaping understory phenology patterns, especially in subtropical forests.

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“…In this issue of Global Change Biology, Wang et al (2023), propose a modelling structure of root systems, which approximates function through three functional pools—TAM, or transport roots (T), absorptive roots (A) and mmycorrhizal fungi (M). This both echoes conceptual shifts which have already occurred for both canopies (De Pury & Farquhar, 1997) and microbial pools (e.g.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…While root system representation up to now have been simple, this has not arisen out of model parsimony but rather a data bias towards aboveground processes. Wang et al, 2023, propose a functional structure to the root system with potential for reducing uncertainty in belowground function under global change, potentially testable with development of modern observational approaches. This opens the way for potential model‐led collaborations in the future.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%