Understanding the drivers of variations in fine root lifespan is key to informing nutrient cycling and productivity in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the general patterns and determinants of forest fine root lifespan at the global scale are still limited. We compiled a dataset of 421 fine root lifespan observations from 76 tree species globally to assess phylogenetic signals among species, explored relationships between fine root lifespan and biotic and abiotic factors, and quantified the relative importance of phylogeny, root system structure and functions, climatic and edaphic factors in driving global fine root lifespan variations. Overall, fine root lifespan showed a clear phylogenetic signal, with gymnosperms having a longer fine root lifespan than angiosperms. Fine root lifespan was longer for evergreens than deciduous trees. Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) plants had an extended fine root lifespan than arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) plants. Among different climatic zones, fine root lifespan was the longest in the boreal zone, while it did not vary between the temperate and tropical zone. Fine root lifespan increased with soil depth and root order. Furthermore, the analysis of relative importance indicated that phylogeny was the strongest driver influencing the variation in forest fine root lifespan, followed by soil clay content, root order, mean annual temperature, and soil depth, while other environmental factors and root traits exerted weaker effects. Our results suggest that the global pattern of fine root lifespan in forests is shaped by the interplay of phylogeny, root traits and environmental factors. These findings necessitate accurate representations of tree evolutionary history in earth system models to predict fine root longevity and its responses to global changes.

中文翻译：

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进化历史主要调节世界各地树种的细根寿命


了解细根寿命变化的驱动因素是了解陆地生态系统养分循环和生产力的关键。然而，全球范围内森林细根寿命的一般模式和决定因素仍然有限。我们编制了来自全球 76 个树种的 421 个细根寿命观测数据集，以评估物种之间的系统发育信号，探索细根寿命与生物和非生物因素之间的关系，并量化系统发育、根系结构和功能、气候和环境的相对重要性。驱动全球细根寿命变化的土壤因素。总体而言，细根寿命显示出清晰的系统发育信号，裸子植物的细根寿命比被子植物更长。常绿树的细根寿命比落叶树长。外生菌根（ECM）植物的细根寿命比丛枝菌根（AM）植物更长。不同气候带中，寒带地区细根寿命最长，而温带和热带地区细根寿命差异不大。细根寿命随着土壤深度和根序的增加而增加。此外，相对重要性分析表明，系统发育是影响森林细根寿命变化的最强驱动因素，其次是土壤粘土含量、根序、年平均温度和土壤深度，而其他环境因素和根系性状的影响较弱。 。我们的研究结果表明，森林细根寿命的全球模式是由系统发育、根性状和环境因素的相互作用决定的。 这些发现需要在地球系统模型中准确表示树木的进化历史，以预测细根的寿命及其对全球变化的响应。