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<p>Root exudation is a critical process in belowground carbon dynamics, but its interspecific variation and association with root morphological traits remain unclear in Arctic riparian ecosystems. We investigated spring root exudation rates and fine root morphological traits of two dominant Arctic riparian species, <i>Betula nana</i> and <i>Salix glauca</i> seedlings, along a riverside in northern Finland. Contrary to expectations derived from the conventional relationship between root exudation rate and morphological traits, <i>B. nana</i>, which had higher root tissue density (RTD), exhibited a significantly greater root exudation rate per root dry mass, which was 2.89 times higher than that of <i>S. glauca</i>. This could be related to the root development stage in <i>B. nana</i> since <i>Betula</i> species often start root growth earlier than <i>Salix</i> in Arctic environments. Root morphological traits, such as specific root length and RTD, were not significantly associated with root exudation rates in both species. On the other hand, the root exudation rates were associated with total root volume only in the root diameter classes greater than 0.5&#xa0;mm and less than 1.0&#xa0;mm, indicating a spatial pattern of root exudation within a fine root system. The present relationship between root exudation and morphology suggests that general patterns of the root economic spectrum may not hold in Arctic woody species. Our findings highlight the need to reassess assumptions about root trait–function relationships in Arctic hydrologically dynamic environments.</p>

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Variation in spring root exudation rates among riparian tree species in northern Finland

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月30日

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  • Tetsuto Sugai,
  • Jukka Pumpanen,
  • Mizue Ohashi

摘要

Root exudation is a critical process in belowground carbon dynamics, but its interspecific variation and association with root morphological traits remain unclear in Arctic riparian ecosystems. We investigated spring root exudation rates and fine root morphological traits of two dominant Arctic riparian species, Betula nana and Salix glauca seedlings, along a riverside in northern Finland. Contrary to expectations derived from the conventional relationship between root exudation rate and morphological traits, B. nana, which had higher root tissue density (RTD), exhibited a significantly greater root exudation rate per root dry mass, which was 2.89 times higher than that of S. glauca. This could be related to the root development stage in B. nana since Betula species often start root growth earlier than Salix in Arctic environments. Root morphological traits, such as specific root length and RTD, were not significantly associated with root exudation rates in both species. On the other hand, the root exudation rates were associated with total root volume only in the root diameter classes greater than 0.5 mm and less than 1.0 mm, indicating a spatial pattern of root exudation within a fine root system. The present relationship between root exudation and morphology suggests that general patterns of the root economic spectrum may not hold in Arctic woody species. Our findings highlight the need to reassess assumptions about root trait–function relationships in Arctic hydrologically dynamic environments.