Joshua S Caplan1,2, Bram W G Stone3, Cara A Faillace1, Jonathan J Lafond1, Joni M Baumgarten1,4, Thomas J Mozdzer2, John Dighton4, Scott J Meiners5, Jason C Grabosky1, Joan G Ehrenfeld1. 1. Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 14 College Farm Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA. 2. Department of Biology, Bryn Mawr College, 101 North Merion Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, USA. 3. Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, 30 University Avenue, University, MS 38677, USA. 4. Rutgers Pinelands Field Station, PO Box 206, New Lisbon, NJ 08064, USA. 5. Department of Biological Sciences, Eastern Illinois University, 600 Lincoln Avenue, Charleston, IL 61920, USA.
Abstract
Background and Aims: Temperate deciduous forest understoreys are experiencing widespread changes in community composition, concurrent with increases in rates of nitrogen supply. These shifts in plant abundance may be driven by interspecific differences in nutrient foraging (i.e. conservative vs. acquisitive strategies) and, thus, adaptation to contemporary nutrient loading conditions. This study sought to determine if interspecific differences in nutrient foraging could help explain patterns of shrub success and decline in eastern North American forests. Methods: Using plants grown in a common garden, fine root traits associated with nutrient foraging were measured for six shrub species. Traits included the mean and skewness of the root diameter distribution, specific root length (SRL), C:N ratio, root tissue density, arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and foraging precision. Above- and below-ground productivity were also determined for the same plants, and population growth rates were estimated using data from a long-term study of community dynamics. Root traits were compared among species and associations among root traits, measures of productivity and rates of population growth were evaluated. Key Results: Species fell into groups having thick or thin root forms, which correspond to conservative vs. acquisitive nutrient foraging strategies. Interspecific variation in root morphology and tissue construction correlated with measures of productivity and rates of cover expansion. Of the four species with acquisitive traits, three were introduced species that have become invasive in recent decades, and the fourth was a weedy native. In contrast, the two species with conservative traits were historically dominant shrubs that have declined in abundance in eastern North American forests. Conclusions: In forest understoreys of eastern North America, elevated nutrient availability may impose a filter on species success in addition to above-ground processes such as herbivory and overstorey canopy conditions. Shrubs that have root traits associated with rapid uptake of soil nutrients may be more likely to increase in abundance, while species without such traits may be less likely to keep pace with more productive species.
Background and Aims: Temperate deciduous forest understoreys are experiencing widespread changes in community composition, concurrent with increases in rates of nitrogen supply. These shifts in plant abundance may be driven by interspecific differences in nutrient foraging (i.e. conservative vs. acquisitive strategies) and, thus, adaptation to contemporary nutrient loading conditions. This study sought to determine if interspecific differences in nutrient foraging could help explain patterns of shrub success and decline in eastern North American forests. Methods: Using plants grown in a common garden, fine root traits associated with nutrient foraging were measured for six shrub species. Traits included the mean and skewness of the root diameter distribution, specific root length (SRL), C:N ratio, root tissue density, arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and foraging precision. Above- and below-ground productivity were also determined for the same plants, and population growth rates were estimated using data from a long-term study of community dynamics. Root traits were compared among species and associations among root traits, measures of productivity and rates of population growth were evaluated. Key Results: Species fell into groups having thick or thin root forms, which correspond to conservative vs. acquisitive nutrient foraging strategies. Interspecific variation in root morphology and tissue construction correlated with measures of productivity and rates of cover expansion. Of the four species with acquisitive traits, three were introduced species that have become invasive in recent decades, and the fourth was a weedy native. In contrast, the two species with conservative traits were historically dominant shrubs that have declined in abundance in eastern North American forests. Conclusions: In forest understoreys of eastern North America, elevated nutrient availability may impose a filter on species success in addition to above-ground processes such as herbivory and overstorey canopy conditions. Shrubs that have root traits associated with rapid uptake of soil nutrients may be more likely to increase in abundance, while species without such traits may be less likely to keep pace with more productive species.
Authors: Lidewij H Keser; Wayne Dawson; Yao-Bin Song; Fei-Hai Yu; Markus Fischer; Ming Dong; Mark van Kleunen Journal: Oecologia Date: 2013-12-19 Impact factor: 3.225
Authors: M Luke McCormack; Ian A Dickie; David M Eissenstat; Timothy J Fahey; Christopher W Fernandez; Dali Guo; Heljä-Sisko Helmisaari; Erik A Hobbie; Colleen M Iversen; Robert B Jackson; Jaana Leppälammi-Kujansuu; Richard J Norby; Richard P Phillips; Kurt S Pregitzer; Seth G Pritchard; Boris Rewald; Marcin Zadworny Journal: New Phytol Date: 2015-03-10 Impact factor: 10.151
Authors: Danielle R Begley-Miller; Andrew L Hipp; Bethany H Brown; Marlene Hahn; Thomas P Rooney Journal: AoB Plants Date: 2014-06-09 Impact factor: 3.276