Gratitude to the Reviewers Who Supported Research in Ecology in 2025
2026-02-06
Variation Patterns of Absorptive Root Traits and Resource Acquisition Strategies of Representative Tree Species across Different Successional Stages in Subtropical Forests
Authors
-
Hailing Liao
Department of Forest Science and Biodiversity, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
Nanchang Junhan Environmental Protection Consulting Co., Ltd., Nanchang 330224, China
-
Mohd Nazre
Department of Forest Science and Biodiversity, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
-
Beilei Yin
Department of Forest Science and Biodiversity, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
College of Forestry Engineering, Guangxi Eco-Engineering Vocational and Technical College, Liuzhou 545003, China
-
Johar Mohamed
Department of Forest Science and Biodiversity, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v8i3.12727Abstract
The variation patterns of absorptive root functional traits and the differentiation of resource acquisition strategies among tree species during forest succession represent a critical scientific issue for understanding plant-soil interactions, community dynamics, and ecosystem functioning. This paper systematically reviews the multidimensional variation characteristics of absorptive root traits and their underlying ecological mechanisms in representative tree species across different successional stages in subtropical forests. Research demonstrates that functional traits of absorptive roots form a "root economics spectrum" through coordinated variation across morphological, anatomical, chemical, physiological, and symbiotic dimensions, reflecting the trade-off between resource acquisition efficiency and tissue persistence. Along the successional gradient, pioneer species exhibit an "acquisitive strategy" characterized by high specific root length (15–30 m/g), fine root diameter (0.3–0.6 mm), low tissue density (<0.30 g/cm³), high nitrogen content (15–25 mg·g−1), and short lifespan (<1 year), whereas climax species display a "conservative strategy" featuring low specific root length, coarse root diameter, high tissue density (>0.40 g/cm³), low nitrogen content, and long lifespan. This directional differentiation is driven by environmental factors, including resource availability, competition intensity, and disturbance frequency, while simultaneously regulated by phylogenetic constraints and phenotypic plasticity. Root strategies exert cascading effects on ecosystem productivity, carbon sequestration, and stability through modulation of soil carbon and nitrogen cycling, nutrient availability, and resource acquisition efficiency. Under global change, the compound effects of factors such as climate warming, nitrogen deposition, and biodiversity loss may alter root strategy differentiation patterns and successional trajectories.
Keywords:
Absorptive Root Functional Traits; Forest Succession; Root Economics Spectrum; Resource Acquisition Strategies; Subtropical Forests; Plant-Soil InteractionsReferences
[1] Bardgett, R.D., Mommer, L., de Vries, F.T., 2014. Going underground: Root traits as drivers of ecosystem processes. Trends in Ecology & Evolution. 29(12), 692–699. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2014.10.006
[2] Kim, N., Mishra, A., Chowdhury, N., et al., 2025. Variations in Transporter Genes are Linked to Region-Specific Patterns of Cortical Brain Aging. Innovation in Aging. 9(Supplement_2), igaf122.3682. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igaf122.3682
[3] Freschet, G.T., Pagès, L., Iversen, C.M., et al., 2021. A starting guide to root ecology: Strengthening ecological concepts and standardising root classification, sampling, processing and trait measurements. New Phytologist. 232(3), 973–1122. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.17572
[4] McCormack, M.L., Dickie, I.A., Eissenstat, D.M., et al., 2015. Redefining fine roots improves understanding of below‐ground contributions to terrestrial biosphere processes. New Phytologist. 207(3), 505–518. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.13363
[5] Bertin, A., Notte, A.M., Moumen, B., et al., 2025. Patterns and Functional Insights of DNA Methylation Variation in a South American Mayfly Across an Agriculturally Impacted Semi-Arid Watershed. Biology. 15(1), 90. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15010090
[6] Kitajima, K., Poorter, L., 2008. Functional basis for resource niche partitioning by tropical trees. Tropical Forest Community Ecology. 160–181. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/40095332_Functional_basis_for_resource_niche_partitioning_by_tropical_trees
[7] Valverde‐Barrantes, O.J., Smemo, K.A., Feinstein, L.M., et al., 2013. The distribution of below‐ground traits is explained by intrinsic species differences and intraspecific plasticity in response to root neighbours. Journal of Ecology. 101(4), 933–942. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.12087
[8] Ye, J.-J., Fang, Y.-N., Lu, X.-Q., et al., 2025. Phenotype, Squalene, and Lanosterol Content Variation Patterns During Seed Maturation in Different Leaf-Color Tea Cultivars. Foods. 15(1), 94. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15010094
[9] Johnson, D., Smith, S.E., 2018. Mycorrhizal Mediation of Soil: Fertility, Structure, and Carbon Storage. Elsevier: New York, NY, USA.
[10] Luke McCormack, M., Adams, T.S., Smithwick, E.A.H., et al., 2012. Predicting fine root lifespan from plant functional traits in temperate trees. New Phytologist. 195(4), 823–831. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2012.04198.x
[11] Reich, P.B., 2014. The world‐wide ‘fast–slow’ plant economics spectrum: A traits manifesto. Journal of Ecology. 102(2), 275–301. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.12211
[12] Persson, H., 1978. Root Dynamics in a Young Scots Pine Stand in Central Sweden. Oikos. 30(3), 508. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/3543346
[13] Liu, W., Zhou, S., Zheng, Y., et al., 2025. Analysis of growth variations and expression patterns of auxin response factor gene family in Fallopia multiflora under different light qualities. Frontiers in Plant Science. 16, 1645778. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2025.1645778
[14] Chatterjee, T., Chakrabarty, S., Roy, S., et al., 2025. Temporal Variation of Floral Visitors and Their Visitation Pattern on Niger (Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.)) Cass. in North Bengal, India. Proceedings of the Zoological Society. 78(4), 476–483. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12595-025-00602-3
[15] Guo, D., Xia, M., Wei, X., et al., 2008. Anatomical traits associated with absorption and mycorrhizal colonization are linked to root branch order in twenty‐three Chinese temperate tree species. New Phytologist. 180(3), 673–683. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2008.02573.x
[16] Stocker, M.D., Gutierrez, A., Smith, J.E., et al., 2025. Assessing variations and spatial patterns of antibiotic resistance genes and water quality in irrigation pond water. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 197(12), 1393. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-025-14825-6
[17] Liang, S., Xu, W., Yu, H., et al., 2025. Tailoring internal structures of sol-gel derived microspheres through variations in droplet phase separation patterns. Ceramics International. 51(29), 61443–61449. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2025.10.335
[18] Comas, L.H., Eissenstat, D.M., 2009. Patterns in root trait variation among 25 co‐existing North American forest species. New Phytologist. 182(4), 919–928. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2009.02799.x
[19] Jeffery, J., Naelitz, B.D., Bushweller, L., et al., 2025. Practice Patterns and Institutional Variation in Oncologic Testicular Sperm Extraction in the United States. Fertility and Sterility. 124(6), e274. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2025.07.859
[20] Wang, Y., Dong, X., Wang, H., et al., 2016. Root tip morphology, anatomy, chemistry and potential hydraulic conductivity vary with soil depth in three temperate hardwood species. Tree Physiology. 36(1), 99–108. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/tpv094
[21] Cho, D.-H., Jung, S.-M., Kang, T.-H., et al., 2025. Spatiotemporal variations and distribution patterns in waterbirds along Seocheon Tidal Flat: Focused on endangered wildlife species. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. 18(4), 935–943. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2025.08.008
[22] Beltz, J.K., Bitter, M.C., Goldfischer, A., et al., 2025. Variation in the resource environment affects patterns of seasonal adaptation at phenotypic and genomic levels in Drosophila melanogaster. Evolution Letters. 9(6), 663–674. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/evlett/qraf031
[23] Brundrett, M.C., 2009. Mycorrhizal associations and other means of nutrition of vascular plants: Understanding the global diversity of host plants by resolving conflicting information and developing reliable means of diagnosis. Plant and Soil. 320(1–2), 37–77. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-008-9877-9
[24] Mao, M., Li, J., Wang, C., et al., 2025. The study on the molecular characteristics and variation patterns of the recombinant Muscovy duck parvovirus strain GD-23. Virulence. 16(1), 2530666. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2025.2530666
[25] Williams, L.J., Paquette, A., Cavender-Bares, J., et al., 2017. Spatial complementarity in tree crowns explains overyielding in species mixtures. Nature Ecology & Evolution. 1(4), 0063. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-016-0063
[26] Jung, E.-Y., Roh, S.-Y., Mun, W.-L., 2025. Electromyographic Patterns of Scapular Muscles During Four Variations of Protraction–Retraction Exercises. Life. 15(12), 1840. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/life15121840
[27] Li, H., Liu, B., McCormack, M.L., et al., 2017. Diverse belowground resource strategies underlie plant species coexistence and spatial distribution in three grasslands along a precipitation gradient. New Phytologist. 216(4), 1140–1150. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.14710
[28] Gopal, K., Burnett, C., Kharytonchyk, S., et al., 2025. RNA splicing patterns contribute to burst size variation among HIV-1-infected Jurkat cell clones. Journal of Virology. 99(12), e01334-25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/jvi.01334-25
[29] Russell, K.R., 2025. A corpus-based study of variation in and extension of two Paraguayan Guaraní nasalisation patterns. Phonology. 42, e20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S095267572510016X
[30] Chazdon, R.L., 2008. Beyond Deforestation: Restoring Forests and Ecosystem Services on Degraded Lands. Science. 320(5882), 1458–1460. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1155365
[31] Li, H., Yu, M., Lu, P., et al., 2025. Experimental Study on the Variation Pattern of Saline Ice Microstructure with Temperature. Water. 17(23), 3343. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w17233343
[32] Wang, K., Yu, M., Shao, Y., et al., 2025. The variation pattern and estimation method of backwater length at the reservoir of delta deposition. Journal of Hydro-environment Research. 62–63, 100682. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jher.2025.100682
[33] Bazzaz, F.A., 1979. The Physiological Ecology of Plant Succession. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics. 10(1), 351–371. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.es.10.110179.002031
[34] Wang, X., Liu, X., Mo, W., et al., 2024. Do phylogenetic and environmental factors drive the altitudinal variation in absorptive root traits at the species and community levels? Plant and Soil. 494(1), 203–215. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-023-06267-1
[35] Qin, J., Liu, Q., Liang, L., et al., 2025. Alterations in hydrological connectivity patterns drove spatiotemporal variations in riverine carbon emissions. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies. 62, 102908. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2025.102908
[36] Kabrick, J.M., Zenner, E.K., Dey, D.C., et al., 2008. Using ecological land types to examine landscape-scale oak regeneration dynamics. Forest Ecology and Management. 255(7), 3051–3062. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2007.09.068
[37] Aubrey, J.M., Liefeld, H.R., Armstrong, C., et al., 2026. Prospective Review of Practice Patterns in Breast Cancer Surgery Facilitates Rapid Practice Change, Reduced Clinical Variation, and Cost Savings. Journal of Surgical Oncology. 133(1), 39–45. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jso.70130
[38] Vitousek, P.M., Howarth, R.W., 1991. Nitrogen limitation on land and in the sea: How can it occur? Biogeochemistry. 13(2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00002772
[39] Pan, H., Zhu, M., Ding, C., et al., 2025. Soil Physiochemical Property Variations and Microbial Community Response Patterns under Continuous Cropping of Tree Peony. Agronomy. 15(11), 2602. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15112602
[40] Binkley, D., Richter, D., 1987. Nutrient Cycles and H+ Budgets of Forest Ecosystems. In Advances in Ecological Research. Elsevier: New York, NY, USA. pp. 1–51. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2504(08)60086-0
[41] Fierer, N., Schimel, J.P., Holden, P.A., 2003. Variations in microbial community composition through two soil depth profiles. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 35(1), 167–176. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0038-0717(02)00251-1
[42] Hobbie, S.E., Eddy, W.C., Buyarski, C.R., et al., 2012. Response of decomposing litter and its microbial community to multiple forms of nitrogen enrichment. Ecological Monographs. 82(3), 389–405. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1890/11-1600.1
[43] Tedersoo, L., Bahram, M., Põlme, S., et al., 2015. Response to Comment on “Global diversity and geography of soil fungi.” Science. 349(6251), 936–936. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaa5594
[44] Allison, S.D., Vitousek, P.M., 2005. Responses of extracellular enzymes to simple and complex nutrient inputs. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 37(5), 937–944. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2004.09.014
[45] Farley, R.A., Fitter, A.H., 1999. Temporal and spatial variation in soil resources in a deciduous woodland. Journal of Ecology. 87(4), 688–696. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2745.1999.00390.x
[46] Gómez-Álvarez, E.M., Marazzini, M., Caproni, L., et al., 2025. Rainfall patterns during barley seed development underlie genomic variation for germination after flooding. Plant Physiology. 199(3), kiaf563. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiaf563
[47] Schenk, H.J., Jackson, R.B., 2002. Rooting depths, lateral root spreads and below‐ground/above‐ground allometries of plants in water‐limited ecosystems. Journal of Ecology. 90(3), 480–494. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2745.2002.00682.x
[48] Al-Kharusi, M.S.M., Al Owiemri1, M.S., 2025. Effect of Infill Percentage and Pattern Variations on the Compressive Strength and Material Properties of 3D Printed HDPE Materials. Solid State Phenomena. 379, 9–15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-Och3XV
[49] Wilson, S.D., Tilman, D., 1993. Plant Competition and Resource Availability in Response to Disturbance and Fertilization. Ecology. 74(2), 599–611. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1939319
[50] Yang, C., Gao, R., Zhang, R., et al., 2025. Fatigue crack growth and life assessment of a 100 MPa 4130X high-pressure hydrogen storage vessel subject to autofrettage. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 191, 152315. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.152315
[51] Hodge, A., 2004. The plastic plant: root responses to heterogeneous supplies of nutrients. New Phytologist. 162(1), 9–24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2004.01015.x
[52] White, P.S., Pickett, S.T.A., 1985. Natural Disturbance and Patch Dynamics: An Introduction. In The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and Patch Dynamics. Elsevier: New York, NY, USA. pp. 3–13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-050495-7.50006-5
[53] Park, J., Jin, Y.J., Kim, Y., et al., 2025. Concurrent variations of the unique course of the azygos vein, the kinked common carotid artery, and the branching pattern of the internal iliac arteries. Folia Morphologica. VM/OJS/J/108331. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5603/fm.108331
[54] Meier, C.L., Bowman, W.D., 2008. Links between plant litter chemistry, species diversity, and below-ground ecosystem function. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 105(50), 19780–19785. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0805600105
[55] Bubac, C.M., Russell, T., McKenzie, D., et al., 2025. Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Prion Gene Variation Are Consistent with a Response to Chronic Wasting Disease‐Induced Selection in Wild White‐Tailed Deer. Ecology and Evolution. 15(11), e72449. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.72449
[56] Valladares, F., Gianoli, E., Gómez, J.M., 2007. Ecological limits to plant phenotypic plasticity. New Phytologist. 176(4), 749–763. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2007.02275.x
[57] Kong, D., Ma, C., Zhang, Q., et al., 2014. Leading dimensions in absorptive root trait variation across 96 subtropical forest species. New Phytologist. 203(3), 863–872. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.12842
[58] Zulian, V., Youngflesh, C., 2025. Geography, Environmental Conditions and Life History Shape Patterns of Within‐Population Phenotypic Variation in North American Birds. Ecology Letters. 28(11), e70244. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.70244
[59] Liu, B., Li, H., Zhu, B., et al., 2015. Complementarity in nutrient foraging strategies of absorptive fine roots and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi across 14 coexisting subtropical tree species. New Phytologist. 208(1), 125–136. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.13434
[60] Zhang, A., Wei, X., Wu, D., et al., 2025. Fragmentation effects on β-diversity: The role of abundance and intraspecific trait variation in shaping taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic patterns. Plant Diversity. 47(6), 981–990. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pld.2025.08.003
[61] Ryser, P., 2006. The mysterious root length. Plant and Soil. 286(1–2), 1–6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-006-9096-1
[62] Saccone, F., Melillo, P., Sgueglia, A., et al., 2025. The ransomware blueprint: Attack patterns and strategic variations across gangs. Journal of Information Security and Applications. 95, 104264. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jisa.2025.104264
[63] Bashir, Z., Raj, D., Selvasembian, R., 2025. Variation in heavy metal accumulation and translocation patterns in plant species utilized for reclamation of coal mine spoils in the southern Godavari Valley coalfield, India. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 13(6), 119824. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2025.119824
[64] Mohammedali, H.K.A., Kamal, M.N., Gorafi, A.S.Y., et al., 2025. Variation in root traits and root-endophyte interactions in primary synthetic wheat derived from Aegilops tauschii collected from diverse soil types. Agronomy. 15(6), 1443. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15061443
[65] Hussain, A.H., Zhang, Q., Ain, U.Q., et al., 2025. Contrasting growth patterns, root trait plasticity, phosphorus uptake, and antioxidant responses in maize hybrids under water and phosphorus deficiency. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. 25(3), 1–16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-025-02496-8
[66] McCormack, M.L., Guo, D., 2014. Impacts of environmental factors on fine root lifespan. Frontiers in Plant Science. 5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2014.00205
[67] Hacke, U.G., Sperry, J.S., Pockman, W.T., et al., 2001. Trends in wood density and structure are linked to prevention of xylem implosion by negative pressure. Oecologia. 126(4), 457–461. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004420100628
[68] Tyree, M.T., Zimmermann, M.H., 2002. Xylem Structure and the Ascent of Sap, Springer Series in Wood Science. Springe: Berlin, Germany. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-04931-0
[69] Vitousek, P.M., Porder, S., Houlton, B.Z., et al., 2010. Terrestrial phosphorus limitation: Mechanisms, implications, and nitrogen–phosphorus interactions. Ecological Applications. 20(1), 5–15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1890/08-0127.1
[70] Richardson, A.E., Lynch, J.P., Ryan, P.R., et al., 2011. Plant and microbial strategies to improve the phosphorus efficiency of agriculture. Plant and Soil. 349(1–2), 121–156. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-011-0950-4
[71] Turner, B.L., 2008. Resource partitioning for soil phosphorus: A hypothesis. Journal of Ecology. 96(4), 698–702. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2745.2008.01384.x
[72] Li, T., Zhang, H., Ding, R., et al., 2025. Unraveling the diverse grazing effects: Examining the variations in spatial patterns of soil microbial diversity across dimensions, Kingdoms, and depths in Tibetan grasslands. Global and Planetary Change. 255, 105103. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2025.105103
[73] Güsewell, S., 2004. N : P ratios in terrestrial plants: Variation and functional significance. New Phytologist. 164(2), 243–266. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2004.01192.x
[74] Silver, W.L., Miya, R.K., 2001. Global patterns in root decomposition: Comparisons of climate and litter quality effects. Oecologia. 129(3), 407–419. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004420100740
[75] Gill, R.A., Jackson, R.B., 2000. Global patterns of root turnover for terrestrial ecosystems. New Phytologist. 147(1), 13–31. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-8137.2000.00681.x
[76] Wang, Y., Guo, X., Bi, Q., et al., 2025. Absorptive and transport roots of two tree species respond differently to soil salinity along soil depth. Flora. 332, 152847. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.flora.2025.152847
[77] Viotto‐Souza, W., Santos, A.L.Q., Abidu‐Figueiredo, M., et al., 2025. From armadillos to sloths: Patterns and variations in xenarthran coronary anatomy. The Anatomical Record. ar.70073. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.70073
[78] Kronzucker, H.J., Siddiqi, M.Y., Glass, A.D.M., 1997. Conifer root discrimination against soil nitrate and the ecology of forest succession. Nature. 385(6611), 59–61. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/385059a0
[79] Han, M., Chen, Y., Gan, D., et al., 2025. The latitudinal pattern of fine root intraspecific trait variation among species in plant communities. Nature Communications. 16(1), 9340. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-64451-6
[80] Smith, S.E., Read, D., 2008. Mycorrhizal Symbiosis, 3rd ed. Elsevier: New York, NY, USA. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012370526-6.50002-7
[81] Van Der Heijden, M.G.A., Martin, F.M., Selosse, M., et al., 2015. Mycorrhizal ecology and evolution: The past, the present, and the future. New Phytologist. 205(4), 1406–1423. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.13288
[82] Allemani, C., Minicozzi, P., Morawski, B., et al., 2025. Global variation in patterns of care and time to initial treatment for breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer from 2015 to 2018 (VENUSCANCER): A secondary analysis of individual records for 275 792 women from 103 population-based cancer registries in 39 countries and territories. The Lancet. 406(10517), 2325–2348. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(25)01383-2
[83] Cornwell, W.K., Ackerly, D.D., 2009. Community assembly and shifts in plant trait distributions across an environmental gradient in coastal California. Ecological Monographs. 79(1), 109–126. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1890/07-1134.1
[84] Kraft, N.J.B., Valencia, R., Ackerly, D.D., 2008. Functional Traits and Niche-Based Tree Community Assembly in an Amazonian Forest. Science. 322(5901), 580–582. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1160662
[85] Liu, J., You, J., Lin, Z., et al., 2025. Spatial Distribution Patterns of Genetic Variation in Four Rhodiola Species: Testing the Centre‐Periphery Hypothesis. Diversity and Distributions. 31(10), e70101. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.70101
[86] Siefert, A., Violle, C., Chalmandrier, L., et al., 2015. A global meta‐analysis of the relative extent of intraspecific trait variation in plant communities. Ecology Letters. 18(12), 1406–1419. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.12508
[87] Patra, A., Choudhary, A., Chaudhary, P., et al., 2025. Absent ascending colon, subhepatic cecum with appendix, duodeno-ileal band, and variant arterial pattern: A Cluster of anatomical variations. Folia Morphologica. VM/OJS/J/108983. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5603/fm.108983
[88] Jackson, R.B., Canadell, J., Ehleringer, J.R., et al., 1996. A global analysis of root distributions for terrestrial biomes. Oecologia. 108(3), 389–411. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00333714
[89] Dimattia, G.B., Righi, A., Bettuzzi, M., et al., 2025. Root traits of different wheat cultivars influence soil structure: An X-ray computed tomography and root morphology study. Geoderma. 459, 117349. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2025.117349
[90] Funk, J.L., Larson, J.E., Ames, G.M., et al., 2017. Revisiting the Holy Grail: Using plant functional traits to understand ecological processes. Biological Reviews. 92(2), 1156–1173. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12275
[91] Rasse, D.P., Rumpel, C., Dignac, M.-F., 2005. Is soil carbon mostly root carbon? Mechanisms for a specific stabilisation. Plant and Soil. 269(1–2), 341–356. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-004-0907-y
[92] Laville, S., Mouheb, A., de Pinho, N.A., et al., 2025. Exploring sex-based variations in prescription patterns and adverse drug reactions in chronic kidney disease. Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation. 40(Supplement_3), gfaf116.0543. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfaf116.0543
[93] Averill, C., Turner, B.L., Finzi, A.C., 2014. Mycorrhiza-mediated competition between plants and decomposers drives soil carbon storage. Nature. 505(7484), 543–545. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature12901
[94] Aber, J.D., Melillo, J.M., Nadelhoffer, K.J., et al., 1985. Fine root turnover in forest ecosystems in relation to quantity and form of nitrogen availability: A comparison of two methods. Oecologia. 66(3), 317–321. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00378292
[95] Nascimento, M., Nascimento, C.C.A., Sagae, S.V., et al., 2025. Assisted genomic prediction models for soybean root traits using secondary aerial phenotypes. Euphytica. 221(6), 81. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-025-03529-0
[96] Walker, B., Kinzig, A., Langridge, J., 1999. Original Articles: Plant Attribute Diversity, Resilience, and Ecosystem Function: The Nature and Significance of Dominant and Minor Species. Ecosystems. 2(2), 95–113. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s100219900062
[97] Bardgett, R.D., Manning, P., Morriën, E., et al., 2013. Hierarchical responses of plant–soil interactions to climate change: consequences for the global carbon cycle. Journal of Ecology. 101(2), 334–343. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.12043
[98] Kaçur, İ., Nteli Chatzioglou, G., Nas, E., et al., 2025. Branching patterns and variations of the anterior choroidal artery: A detailed cadaveric morphometric analysis. Neurosurgical Review. 48(1), 711. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10143-025-03863-w
[99] Freschet, G.T., Violle, C., Bourget, M.Y., et al., 2018. Allocation, morphology, physiology, architecture: the multiple facets of plant above‐ and below‐ground responses to resource stress. New Phytologist. 219(4), 1338–1352. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.15225
[100] Iragavarapu, G.P., Varsha, H.J., Vembar, S.S., et al., 2025. Hierarchical switching pattern in antigenic variation provides survival advantage for malaria parasites under variable host immunity. Physical Biology. 22(6), 066005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1478-3975/ae1091
[101] Janssens, I.A., Dieleman, W., Luyssaert, S., et al., 2010. Reduction of forest soil respiration in response to nitrogen deposition. Nature Geoscience. 3(5), 315–322. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo844
[102] Zhu, C., Wang, C., Han, J., et al., 2025. Temporal factors and habitats drive the variation of microbial distributions and co-occurrence patterns in the Pearl River Estuary. BMC Microbiology. 25(1), 609. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-025-04239-2
[103] Treseder, K.K., 2008. Nitrogen additions and microbial biomass: A meta‐analysis of ecosystem studies. Ecology Letters. 11(10), 1111–1120. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2008.01230.x
Downloads
How to Cite
Liao, H., Nazre, M., Yin, B., & Mohamed, J. (2026). Variation Patterns of Absorptive Root Traits and Resource Acquisition Strategies of Representative Tree Species across Different Successional Stages in Subtropical Forests. Research in Ecology, 8(3), 53–84. https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v8i3.12727
Issue
Article Type
Review
License
Copyright © 2026 Hailing Liao, Mohd Nazre, Beilei Yin, Johar Mohamed
This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.
