Tree age affects key fine root morphological traits but does not interfere strongly with (ecto-)mycorrhizal traits
This work provides evidence that tree below-ground economics strategy can change significantly throughout their lifetime. In the ectomycorrhizal tree species studied, morphological adjustments are most pronounced, whereas mycorrhizal strategy remains largely consistent. The more conservative root strategy of younger trees than older ones contradicts previous results on the ageing of homogeneous tree stands, suggesting that individual tree responses to ageing in mixed-aged forests might differ strongly from those in homogeneous forest stands experiencing multiple confounding environmental influences.
Authors
- Zhili Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7704-5133)
- Qin Yu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6379-9444)
- Oscar J. Valverde‐Barrantes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7327-7647)
- Guangze Jin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9852-0965)
- Grégoire T. Freschet (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8830-3860)
Institutions
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Florida International University (US)
- Station d’Écologie Théorique et Expérimentale (FR)
- Northeast Forestry University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Annals of Botany
- Published
- 2025-01-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcae223
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 5.25
Funders
- Agence Nationale de la Recherche
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- China Scholarship Council
- Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities