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 …

Fine roots acquire essential soil resources and mediate biogeochemical cycling in terrestrial
ecosystems. Estimates of carbon and nutrient allocation to build and maintain these …

Plant roots have greatly diversified in form and function since the emergence of the first land
plants,, but the global organization of functional traits in roots remains poorly understood …

When roots encounter a nutrient‐rich zone or patch they often proliferate within it. Roots
experiencing nutrient‐rich patches can also enhance their physiological ion‐uptake …

The fine roots of trees are concentrated on lateral branches that arise from perennial roots.
They are important in the acquisition of water and essential nutrients, and at the ecosystem …

Although linkages of leaf and whole‐plant traits to leaf lifespan have been rigorously
investigated, there is a limited understanding of similar linkages of whole‐plant and fine root …

Root turnover is important to the global carbon budget as well as to nutrient cycling in
ecosystems and to the success of individual plants. Our ability to predict the effects of …

Different portions of tree root systems play distinct functional roles, yet precisely how to
distinguish roots of different functions within the branching fine‐root system is unclear.• …

The decade since the publication of the third edition of this volume has been an era of great
progress in biology in general and the plant sciences in particular. This is especially true …

Soil temperature can influence the functioning of roots in many ways. If soil moisture and
nutrient availability are adequate, rates of root length extension and root mortality increase …