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Mycorrhizal and environmental controls over root trait–decomposition linkage of woody trees
Author(s) -
Jiang Lei,
Wang Huimin,
Li Shenggong,
Fu Xiaoli,
Dai Xiaoqin,
Yan Han,
Kou Liang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.16844
Subject(s) - nutrient , nutrient cycle , biology , botany , decomposition , ecology
Summary Traits are critical in predicting decomposition that fuels carbon and nutrient cycling in ecosystems. However, our understanding of root trait–decomposition linkage, and especially its dependence on mycorrhizal type and environmental context, remains limited. We explored the control of morphological and chemical (carbon‐ and nutrient‐related) traits over decomposition of absorptive roots in 30 tree species associated with either arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) or ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi in temperate and subtropical forests in China. Carbon‐related traits (acid‐unhydrolysable residue (AUR) and cellulose concentrations) had predominant control of root decomposition in AM species while nutrient‐related traits (magnesium concentration) predominately controlled that in ECM species. Thicker absorptive roots decomposed faster in AM species as a result of their lower AUR concentrations, but more slowly in ECM angiosperm species potentially as a result of their higher magnesium concentrations. Root decomposition was linked to root nutrient economy in both forests while root diameter–decomposition coordination emerged only in the subtropical forest where root diameter and decomposition presented similar cross‐species variations. Our findings suggest that root trait–decomposition linkages differ strongly with mycorrhizal type and environment, and that root diameter can predict decomposition but in opposing directions and with contrasting mechanisms for AM and ECM species.