| Global warming is predicted to be most pronounced at high latitudes, where a high proportion of plant biomass is allocated belowground and fine root processes play a prominent role in the cycling of carbon and nutrients. Small changes in soil carbon pool and cycling processes can have large impacts on atmospheric CO2 concentrations and consequently climate change. However, our knowledge of the effects of a changing climate on fine root production, turnover and phenology in cold climate ecosystems remains very limited. In addition, interspecific differences in fine root dynamics have been hardly studied, although in arctic regions, where only few species dominate, the role of individual plant species in mediating climate change is very likely.
This project addresses fundamental questions concerning the effects of climate change on root growth in northern ecosystems. We will use minirhizotrons to repeatedly and non-destructively measure root production, turnover and phenology in 3 subarctic plant species (a grass, a deciduous, and an evergreen shrub) and how this is affected by the two most important components of climate change, temperature and snow depth. To simulate warming, we will select plots at different elevations on a mountain close to the Abisko Scientific Research Station in subarctic Sweden. In addition, a snow-removal treatment will be used to examine the effects on root growth of a reduced snow cover, resulting in a longer growing season.
A better understanding of how climate change affects root processes is needed to adequately predict soil carbon cycling and long-term net carbon storage in ecosystems. This is key information for improving climate change models, which have important implications for society and nature conservation.
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