Evolution history dominantly regulates fine root lifespan in tree species across the world

Understanding the drivers of variations in fine root lifespan is key to informing nutrient cycling and productivity in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the general patterns and determinants of forest fine root lifespan at the global scale are still limited. We compiled a dataset of 421 fine root lif...

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Main Authors: Xingzhao Huang, Zhouying Lu, Fangbing Li, Yang Deng, Fangfang Wan, Quancheng Wang, Fousseni Folega, Jinsong Wang, Zijian Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2024-01-01
Series:Forest Ecosystems
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2197562024000472
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author Xingzhao Huang
Zhouying Lu
Fangbing Li
Yang Deng
Fangfang Wan
Quancheng Wang
Fousseni Folega
Jinsong Wang
Zijian Guo
author_facet Xingzhao Huang
Zhouying Lu
Fangbing Li
Yang Deng
Fangfang Wan
Quancheng Wang
Fousseni Folega
Jinsong Wang
Zijian Guo
author_sort Xingzhao Huang
collection DOAJ
description Understanding the drivers of variations in fine root lifespan is key to informing nutrient cycling and productivity in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the general patterns and determinants of forest fine root lifespan at the global scale are still limited. We compiled a dataset of 421 fine root lifespan observations from 76 tree species globally to assess phylogenetic signals among species, explored relationships between fine root lifespan and biotic and abiotic factors, and quantified the relative importance of phylogeny, root system structure and functions, climatic and edaphic factors in driving global fine root lifespan variations. Overall, fine root lifespan showed a clear phylogenetic signal, with gymnosperms having a longer fine root lifespan than angiosperms. Fine root lifespan was longer for evergreens than deciduous trees. Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) plants had an extended fine root lifespan than arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) plants. Among different climatic zones, fine root lifespan was the longest in the boreal zone, while it did not vary between the temperate and tropical zone. Fine root lifespan increased with soil depth and root order. Furthermore, the analysis of relative importance indicated that phylogeny was the strongest driver influencing the variation in forest fine root lifespan, followed by soil clay content, root order, mean annual temperature, and soil depth, while other environmental factors and root traits exerted weaker effects. Our results suggest that the global pattern of fine root lifespan in forests is shaped by the interplay of phylogeny, root traits and environmental factors. These findings necessitate accurate representations of tree evolutionary history in earth system models to predict fine root longevity and its responses to global changes.
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publisher KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
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series Forest Ecosystems
spelling doaj-art-80e604041fbf40e6b63aee67835392db2025-08-20T02:11:37ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Forest Ecosystems2197-56202024-01-011110021110.1016/j.fecs.2024.100211Evolution history dominantly regulates fine root lifespan in tree species across the worldXingzhao Huang0Zhouying Lu1Fangbing Li2Yang Deng3Fangfang Wan4Quancheng Wang5Fousseni Folega6Jinsong Wang7Zijian Guo8Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Forest Resources and Silviculture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, ChinaAnhui Province Key Laboratory of Forest Resources and Silviculture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, ChinaAnhui Province Key Laboratory of Forest Resources and Silviculture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, ChinaAnhui Province Key Laboratory of Forest Resources and Silviculture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, ChinaKey Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, ChinaLaboratory of Botany and Plant Ecology (LBEV), University of Lome, Togo, 01PoBox 1515, Lome, TogoKey Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; Corresponding author. and contact information: School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, No. 35 Qinghua East Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, ChinaUnderstanding the drivers of variations in fine root lifespan is key to informing nutrient cycling and productivity in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the general patterns and determinants of forest fine root lifespan at the global scale are still limited. We compiled a dataset of 421 fine root lifespan observations from 76 tree species globally to assess phylogenetic signals among species, explored relationships between fine root lifespan and biotic and abiotic factors, and quantified the relative importance of phylogeny, root system structure and functions, climatic and edaphic factors in driving global fine root lifespan variations. Overall, fine root lifespan showed a clear phylogenetic signal, with gymnosperms having a longer fine root lifespan than angiosperms. Fine root lifespan was longer for evergreens than deciduous trees. Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) plants had an extended fine root lifespan than arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) plants. Among different climatic zones, fine root lifespan was the longest in the boreal zone, while it did not vary between the temperate and tropical zone. Fine root lifespan increased with soil depth and root order. Furthermore, the analysis of relative importance indicated that phylogeny was the strongest driver influencing the variation in forest fine root lifespan, followed by soil clay content, root order, mean annual temperature, and soil depth, while other environmental factors and root traits exerted weaker effects. Our results suggest that the global pattern of fine root lifespan in forests is shaped by the interplay of phylogeny, root traits and environmental factors. These findings necessitate accurate representations of tree evolutionary history in earth system models to predict fine root longevity and its responses to global changes.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2197562024000472Fine root lifespanTreesPhylogenyRoot orderSoil propertyClimatic factors
spellingShingle Xingzhao Huang
Zhouying Lu
Fangbing Li
Yang Deng
Fangfang Wan
Quancheng Wang
Fousseni Folega
Jinsong Wang
Zijian Guo
Evolution history dominantly regulates fine root lifespan in tree species across the world
Forest Ecosystems
Fine root lifespan
Trees
Phylogeny
Root order
Soil property
Climatic factors
title Evolution history dominantly regulates fine root lifespan in tree species across the world
title_full Evolution history dominantly regulates fine root lifespan in tree species across the world
title_fullStr Evolution history dominantly regulates fine root lifespan in tree species across the world
title_full_unstemmed Evolution history dominantly regulates fine root lifespan in tree species across the world
title_short Evolution history dominantly regulates fine root lifespan in tree species across the world
title_sort evolution history dominantly regulates fine root lifespan in tree species across the world
topic Fine root lifespan
Trees
Phylogeny
Root order
Soil property
Climatic factors
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2197562024000472
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