Absorptive Roots Prioritize Chemical over Morphological Investment Under Litter Addition in a Qinling Pine-Oak Mixed Forest.

ABSTRACT: The root economics spectrum predicts coordinated trait shifts to a heterogeneous soil environment, yet how roots strategically respond to litter-driven nutrient patches is not fully understood. We conducted a litter addition experiment (CK: 0, Low: 30, Medium: 60, High: 120 g) in a Qinling mixed forest, quantifying root responses of Pinus tabuliformis (Pt) and Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata (Qa). Soil inorganic nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N and NO₃^--N) increased significantly only under high litter inputs (by 138% and 130%, respectively; p < 0.001), indicating a threshold effect. Root carbon and nitrogen concentration generally increased under the Medium and High litter addition treatments compared to the Low treatments (p

SUBMITTER: Ma X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12736430 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature