Sampling in the Dark: Challenges in Fine-Root Research

Ziegler, Clare; Yaffar, Daniela; Cordeiro, Amanda

doi:10.1029/2019EO122695

Title: Sampling in the Dark: Challenges in Fine-Root Research

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Abstract

Plant roots play an essential role in the global carbon cycle, but they are often underinvestigated and underrepresented in Earth system models (ESMs). Fine roots are estimated to contribute up to 33% of terrestrial plant production, evidence of their key role in the cycling of carbon, water, and nutrients. Few root-sampling methods are nondestructive, however, and even those methods come with their own set of challenges. This January, root researchers met at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to discuss current challenges in root research. They also discussed some possible solutions that may encourage more researchers to undertake belowground projects. Meeting participants have been using minirhizotrons—instruments that use a transparent tube driven into the soil to collect visible wavelength color imagery of plant roots in situ—in tropical forests in Brazil, Panama, and Puerto Rico; in a deciduous woodland; and in a northern peatland.

Authors:

Ziegler, Clare ^[1]; Yaffar, Daniela ^[2]; Cordeiro, Amanda ^[3]

Univ. of Birmingham (United Kingdom). Dept. of Biosciences
Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States). Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States). Dept. of Geography

Publication Date:: Mon May 06 00:00:00 EDT 2019

Research Org.:: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

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

OSTI Identifier:: 1511927

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

Resource Type:: Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:: Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union (Online)

Additional Journal Information:: Journal Name: Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union (Online); Journal Volume: 100; Journal ID: ISSN 2324-9250

Publisher:: American Geophysical Union (AGU)

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

Subject:: 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 58 GEOSCIENCES; 59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Citation Formats


                    Ziegler, Clare, Yaffar, Daniela, and Cordeiro, Amanda. Sampling in the Dark: Challenges in Fine-Root Research.  United States: N. p., 2019. 
Web.  doi:10.1029/2019EO122695.

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                    Ziegler, Clare, Yaffar, Daniela, & Cordeiro, Amanda. Sampling in the Dark: Challenges in Fine-Root Research.  United States.  https://doi.org/10.1029/2019EO122695

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                    Ziegler, Clare, Yaffar, Daniela, and Cordeiro, Amanda. Mon .  
"Sampling in the Dark: Challenges in Fine-Root Research".  United States.  https://doi.org/10.1029/2019EO122695.  https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1511927.

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@article{osti_1511927,

  title        = {Sampling in the Dark: Challenges in Fine-Root Research},

  author       = {Ziegler, Clare and Yaffar, Daniela and Cordeiro, Amanda},

  abstractNote = {Plant roots play an essential role in the global carbon cycle, but they are often underinvestigated and underrepresented in Earth system models (ESMs). Fine roots are estimated to contribute up to 33% of terrestrial plant production, evidence of their key role in the cycling of carbon, water, and nutrients. Few root-sampling methods are nondestructive, however, and even those methods come with their own set of challenges. This January, root researchers met at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to discuss current challenges in root research. They also discussed some possible solutions that may encourage more researchers to undertake belowground projects. Meeting participants have been using minirhizotrons—instruments that use a transparent tube driven into the soil to collect visible wavelength color imagery of plant roots in situ—in tropical forests in Brazil, Panama, and Puerto Rico; in a deciduous woodland; and in a northern peatland.},

  doi          = {10.1029/2019EO122695},

  journal      = {Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union (Online)},

  number       = ,

  volume       = 100,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {Mon May 06 00:00:00 EDT 2019},

  month        = {Mon May 06 00:00:00 EDT 2019}

}

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