Plant trait variation drives plant function, community composition and ecosystem processes.
However, our current understanding of trait variation disproportionately relies on …

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 …

Plant traits determine how individual plants cope with heterogeneous environments. Despite
large variability in individual traits, trait coordination and trade-offs, result in some trait …

The effects of plants on the biosphere, atmosphere and geosphere are key determinants of
terrestrial ecosystem functioning. However, despite substantial progress made regarding …

Plant economics run on carbon and nutrients instead of money. Leaf strategies
aboveground span an economic spectrum from “live fast and die young” to “slow and …

Wheat production and productivity are challenged by recurrent droughts associated with
climate change globally. Drought and heat stress resilient cultivars can alleviate yield loss in …

Plant roots contribute substantially to the formation of stable soil organic matter (SOM), and
there is evidence that species differ in their contribution to SOM stabilization. However, it …

The root economics spectrum (RES), a common hypothesis postulating a tradeoff between
resource acquisition and conservation traits, is being challenged by conflicting relationships …

Root exudation stimulates microbial decomposition and enhances nutrient availability to
plants. It remains difficult to measure and predict this carbon flux in natural conditions …

Ecological theory is built on trade-offs, where trait differences among species evolved as
adaptations to different environments. Trade-offs are often assumed to be bidirectional …