Nutrient Foraging Traits in Ten Co-occurring Plant Species of Contrasting Life Forms

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1999 · Journal of Ecology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2745.1999.00376.x· OSTI ID:807881

Einsmann, J C; Jones, R H; Pu, M; Mitchell, R J

Morphological responses of the root system were tested by assessing scale, precision, discrimination, and sensitivity. Observations of high variation between species in scale, precision and sensitivity. In herbaceous species alone, scale and precision were positively correlated. Sensitivity was not closely related to precision, indicating that proliferation of roots in fertile patches does not always yield growth benefits in heterogeneous soils. Plant life form was not correlated with precision or sensitivity; however, scale of response was greater in herbs than in woody plants-possibly due to different root growth rates.

• Research Organization: USDA Forest Service, Savannah River, New Ellenton, SC (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AI09-00SR22188
• OSTI ID: 807881
• Journal Information: Journal of Ecology, Vol. 87; Other Information: PBD: 1 Jan 1999; ISSN 0022-0477
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ACCURACY
HERBS
NUTRIENTS
PROLIFERATION
SENSITIVITY
SOILS
MORPHOLOGICAL PLASTICITY
NUTRIENT HETEROGENEITY
ROOT DISTRIBUTION
ROOT PROLIFERATION
SOUTH CAROLINA