Tree root nutrient uptake kinetics vary with nutrient availability, environmental conditions, and root traits: a global analysis

Craig, Matthew E.; Walker, Anthony P.; Iversen, Colleen M.; Knox, Ryan G.; Yaffar, Daniela; York, Larry M.

doi:10.1111/nph.70140

Title: Tree root nutrient uptake kinetics vary with nutrient availability, environmental conditions, and root traits: a global analysis

Journal Article · Tue Apr 29 00:00:00 UTC 2025 · New Phytologist

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.70140 · OSTI ID:3018177

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)

Summary: Root nutrient uptake by trees is a critical process that couples carbon and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. Yet, root nutrient uptake traits are poorly constrained, and the dynamics of this process are often not represented in models reflecting sparse measurements and understanding of root nutrient uptake physiology that lags those of aboveground physiology in forest ecosystems. Here, we present a global dataset of published nutrient uptake capacity and affinity values for tree species, with the goal of describing global patterns and evaluating responses to environmental drivers and associations with root traits. Furthermore, the dataset contains observations for ammonium, nitrate, and phosphate uptake spanning 77 tree species. Nutrient uptake capacity and affinity varied by more than an order of magnitude for each nutrient. Notably, tropical forests are underrepresented in these observations. Nutrient uptake capacity was generally diminished under nutrient enrichment but enhanced with soil warming and root–mycorrhizal colonization. The magnitude and direction of these effects can depend on the duration of exposure to a given treatment. Species with thinner roots had a tendency toward greater uptake capacity and affinity. Overall, root nutrient uptake traits are highly variable across tree species, yet they depend on environmental drivers and life-history strategies.

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Research Organization:: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-05CH11231; AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 3018177

Journal Information:: New Phytologist, Journal Name: New Phytologist Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 246; ISSN 1469-8137; ISSN 0028-646X

Publisher:: WileyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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