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The latitudinal pattern of fine-root diameter across the Northern Hemisphere
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  • Wei Guo,
  • Cunguo Wang,
  • Ivano Brunner,
  • Qinrong Tang,
  • Junni Wang,
  • Yingtong Zhou,
  • Maihe Li
Wei Guo
College of Agronomy, Shenyang Agricultural University
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Cunguo Wang
Northeast Normal University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Ivano Brunner
Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL
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Qinrong Tang
Northeast Normal University
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Junni Wang
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Yingtong Zhou
Northeast Normal University
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Maihe Li
Swiss Federal Institute for Forest Snow and Landscape Research WSL
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Abstract

The importance of fine-root diameter for ecosystem functioning is increasingly recognized; yet, much remains to be learned about the variation in fine-root diameter at large scale. We conducted an analysis of fine-root diameter for 1,163 plant species to detect root diameter patterns in relation to resource availability (e.g. carbon, nitrogen and water), stress intensity (e.g. plant/soil biodiversity, soil bulk density) and temperature. First- to fourth-order root diameter showed non-linear relationships with latitude and/or mean annual temperature (except for first-order root diameter). The diameter of five root orders decreased with increasing mean annual precipitation, but increased with net primary production (NPP), which was the strongest determinant of fine-root diameter. Increasing soil biodiversity was associated with decreasing root diameter of fourth- to fifth-order roots while increased plant biodiversity was associated with decreasing diameter of first- to third-order roots. Total soil nitrogen had a positive effect on first-order root diameter, but a negative effect on fourth- and fifth-order root diameter. The patterns reversed for total soil phosphorus. First- to third-order and fifth-order root diameters increased with increasing soil bulk density. Second- to fourth-order root diameter increased with soil pH. Overall, the variables related to climate, biology and soil explained 44% to 63% of the total variance in the diameter of the different root orders. The unique patterns of plasticity observed in fine-root diameter across root orders in response to varying environmental conditions contributes to a diversification of strategies for nutrient/water acquisition and transport under climate change.
Submitted to Oikos
19 Mar 2024Submission Checks Completed
19 Mar 2024Assigned to Editor
19 Mar 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
24 Mar 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
11 May 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Major
08 Jun 20241st Revision Received
10 Jun 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
21 Jun 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
28 Jul 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
01 Aug 20242nd Revision Received
02 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
02 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
02 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
03 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Accept