@article{fdi:010063996,
  title = {{R}oot functional parameters along a land-use gradient : evidence of a community-level economics spectrum},
  author = {{P}rieto, {I}. and {R}oumet, {C}. and {C}ardinael, {R}. and {D}upraz, {C}. and {J}ourdan, {C}. and {K}im, {J}. {H}. and {M}aeght, {J}ean-{L}uc and {M}ao, {Z}. and {P}ierret, {A}lain and {P}ortillo, {N}. and {R}oupsard, {O}. and {T}hammahacksa, {C}. and {S}tokes, {A}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}here is a fundamental trade-off between leaf traits associated with either resource acquisition or resource conservation. {T}his gradient of trait variation, called the economics spectrum, also applies to fine roots, but whether it is consistent for coarse roots or at the plant community level remains untested. {W}e measured a set of morphological and chemical root traits at a community level (functional parameters; {FP}) in 20 plant communities located along land-use intensity gradients and across three climatic zones (tropical, mediterranean and montane). {W}e hypothesized (i) the existence of a root economics spectrum in plant communities consistent within root types (fine, < 2mm; coarse, 2-5mm), (ii) that variations in root {FP} occur with soil depths (top 20cm of soil and 100-150cm deep) and (iii) along land-use gradients. {R}oot {FP} covaried, in line with the resource acquisition-conservation trade-off, from communities with root {FP} associated with resource acquisition (e.g. high specific root length, {SRL}; thin diameters and low root dry matter contents, {RDMC}) to root {FP} associated with resource conservation (e.g. low {SRL}, thick diameters and high {RDMC}). {T}his pattern was consistent for both fine and coarse roots indicating a strong consistency of a trade-off between resource acquisition and conservation for plant roots. {R}oots had different suites of traits at different depths, suggesting a disparity in root function and exploitation capacities. {S}hallow, fine roots were thinner, richer in nitrogen and with lower lignin concentrations associated with greater exploitation capacities compared to deep, fine roots. {S}hallow, coarse roots were richer in nitrogen, carbon and soluble concentrations than deep, coarse roots. {F}ine root parameters of highly disturbed, herbaceous-dominated plant communities in poorer soils were associated with foraging strategies, that is greater {SRL} and lower {RDMC} and lignin concentration than those from less disturbed communities. {C}oarse roots, however, were less sensitive to the land-use gradient.{S}ynthesis. {T}his study demonstrates the existence of a general trade-off in root construction at a community level, which operates within all root types, suggesting that all plant tissues are controlled by the trade-off between resource acquisition and conservation.},
  keywords = {coarse roots ; deep roots ; fine roots ; functional traits ; plant-soil (below-ground) interactions ; root economics spectrum ; shallow roots ; trade-off ; {COSTA} {RICA} ; {LAOS} ; {FRANCE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {E}cology},
  volume = {103},
  numero = {2},
  pages = {361--373},
  ISSN = {0022-0477},
  year = {2015},
  DOI = {10.1111/1365-2745.12351},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010063996},
}