A starting guide to root ecology: strengthening ecological concepts and standardising root classification, sampling, processing and trait measurements
In the context of a recent massive increase in research on plant root functions and their
impact on the environment, root ecologists currently face many important challenges to keep …
impact on the environment, root ecologists currently face many important challenges to keep …
The future of complementarity: disentangling causes from consequences
Evidence suggests that biodiversity supports ecosystem functioning. Yet, the mechanisms
driving this relationship remain unclear. Complementarity is one common explanation for …
driving this relationship remain unclear. Complementarity is one common explanation for …
Root traits as drivers of plant and ecosystem functioning: current understanding, pitfalls and future research needs
The effects of plants on the biosphere, atmosphere and geosphere are key determinants of
terrestrial ecosystem functioning. However, despite substantial progress made regarding …
terrestrial ecosystem functioning. However, despite substantial progress made regarding …
Meta-analysis shows that plant mixtures increase soil phosphorus availability and plant productivity in diverse ecosystems
Soil phosphorus (P) availability is critical to plant productivity in many terrestrial ecosystems.
How soil P availability responds to changes in plant diversity remains uncertain, despite the …
How soil P availability responds to changes in plant diversity remains uncertain, despite the …
Plant diversity increases soil microbial activity and soil carbon storage
Plant diversity strongly influences ecosystem functions and services, such as soil carbon
storage. However, the mechanisms underlying the positive plant diversity effects on soil …
storage. However, the mechanisms underlying the positive plant diversity effects on soil …
[HTML][HTML] Biodiversity effects on ecosystem functioning in a 15-year grassland experiment: Patterns, mechanisms, and open questions
In the past two decades, a large number of studies have investigated the relationship
between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, most of which focussed on a limited set of …
between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, most of which focussed on a limited set of …
[HTML][HTML] Root biomass and exudates link plant diversity with soil bacterial and fungal biomass
Plant diversity has been shown to determine the composition and functioning of soil biota.
Although root-derived organic inputs are discussed as the main drivers of soil communities …
Although root-derived organic inputs are discussed as the main drivers of soil communities …
Plant functional traits: soil and ecosystem services
Decline of ecosystem services has triggered numerous studies aiming at developing more
sustainable agricultural management practices. Some agricultural practices may improve …
sustainable agricultural management practices. Some agricultural practices may improve …
Spatial complementarity in tree crowns explains overyielding in species mixtures
Deciphering the mechanisms that link biodiversity with ecosystem functions is critical to
understanding the consequences of changes in biodiversity. The hypothesis that …
understanding the consequences of changes in biodiversity. The hypothesis that …
Plant–soil feedbacks and temporal dynamics of plant diversity–productivity relationships
Plant–soil feedback (PSF) and diversity–productivity relationships are important research
fields to study drivers and consequences of changes in plant biodiversity. While studies …
fields to study drivers and consequences of changes in plant biodiversity. While studies …