Contrasting synchrony in root and leaf phenology across multiple sub-Arctic plant communities

摘要

1. Roots account for > 50% of net primary production in many ecosystems and are widely accepted as playing a fundamental role in ecosystem carbon and nutrient cycling. Despite this, the timing and controls of root production and the relationships between root and leaf phenology are still poorly understood in many plant communities, making it challenging to elucidate broad scale patterns and to predict ecosystem responses to a changing climate. Here, we investigate and compare the extent of synchrony of community-level fine root and leaf production in 10 widespread sub-Arctic plant communities, including deciduous forest, evergreen shrub, deciduous shrub and sedge-dominated communities.