The latitudinal pattern of fine root intraspecific trait variation among species in plant communities.

ABSTRACT: Intraspecific trait variation (ITV) drives plant species performance in natural communities and can have substantial influences on multiple ecological processes. However, current studies on plant belowground (root) ITV are limited in trait coverage, spatial scale and biome type. Here, by conducting in-situ measurements of root traits in three forests from temperate to subtropics and compiling a large-scale dataset of root traits, we explore the latitudinal pattern of root ITV among species within natural plant community, its drivers and implications. Our results show that intraspecific variation constitute a substantial component of the total variation in root traits, and the physiological trait, root exudation, exhibit the highest ITV among traits. The extent of root ITV tends to increase

SUBMITTER: Han M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12546610 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature