A global dataset of key traits for plant belowground functioning
Abstract
Belowground functional diversity is relevant to numerous ecosystem functions and to ecosystem resilience under global change, yet quantitative information on belowground plant traits is disparate and poorly integrated across fields of research. So far, belowground plant traits have been studied in three disparate research domains: (i) fine root traits in the context of belowground resource economics and symbioses; (ii) maximum rooting depth and lateral extent of the root system in the context of overall plant allometry and resource uptake; (iii) clonal organs and bud banks with a focus on plant and community resilience. However, there remains a major disconnection among these three fields of research. A prerequisite for linking them together is the creation of a comprehensive, curated, open-access dataset available for comprehensive analyses. Here, we compiled and harmonised such a trait dataset for 10,453 vascular plant species and 19 belowground plant traits, which we named UNDERPLOT. Based on these data, we defined two integrative indices, a Belowground Persistence Type (BPT) and a Clonal Spread Index (CSI), which are suitable trait-based indicators for predicting resistance and resilience of communities to disturbance. Further applications will increase our knowledge of the dimensionality of the belowground trait space, adding new insights into trait–environment relationships, vegetation responses to climate change and disturbance, as well as a deeper understanding of evolutionary first principles.
Related
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- Economic spectrum of desert ephemeral plants along a precipitation gradient in the Gurbantungut desert: aboveground and belowground functional traits determine productivity
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- Warming and predation drive rapid evolution of ecosystem functioning but not functional traits
- Trait-Based Selection of Annual Plant Species for Enhancing Ecosystem Functioning in Extensive Green Roof Systems: A Systematic Review
BibTeX
@article{bruelheide2026global,
title = {{A global dataset of key traits for plant belowground functioning}},
author = {Helge Bruelheide and Karl Andraczek and Aline Bombo and Gabriella Damasceno and Ying Fan and Grégoire Freschet and Lena Hartmann and Justus Hennecke and Cody Coyotee Howard and Saheed Olaide Jimoh and Jitka Klimešová and Daniel Laughlin and Liesje Mommer and Tsumbedzo Ramalevha and Frances Siebert and Shersingh Joseph Tumber-Dávila and Alexandra Weigelt and David Atkins and Gianmaria Bonari and Trevor Carter and Jiří Doležal and Timothy Harris and Borja Jiménez-Alfaro and Austin Kelly and F. Curtis Lubbe and Jana Martínková and Mathieu Millan and Jacqueline Ott and Steve Orzell and Jianqiang Qian and Alice Stears and Dennis Whigham and Xin Jing and Joana Bergmann and Alessandra Fidelis},
journal = {Scientific Data},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1038/s41597-026-08151-w},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05746521v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - A global dataset of key traits for plant belowground functioning
AU - Helge Bruelheide
AU - Karl Andraczek
AU - Aline Bombo
AU - Gabriella Damasceno
AU - Ying Fan
AU - Grégoire Freschet
AU - Lena Hartmann
AU - Justus Hennecke
AU - Cody Coyotee Howard
AU - Saheed Olaide Jimoh
AU - Jitka Klimešová
AU - Daniel Laughlin
AU - Liesje Mommer
AU - Tsumbedzo Ramalevha
AU - Frances Siebert
AU - Shersingh Joseph Tumber-Dávila
AU - Alexandra Weigelt
AU - David Atkins
AU - Gianmaria Bonari
AU - Trevor Carter
AU - Jiří Doležal
AU - Timothy Harris
AU - Borja Jiménez-Alfaro
AU - Austin Kelly
AU - F. Curtis Lubbe
AU - Jana Martínková
AU - Mathieu Millan
AU - Jacqueline Ott
AU - Steve Orzell
AU - Jianqiang Qian
AU - Alice Stears
AU - Dennis Whigham
AU - Xin Jing
AU - Joana Bergmann
AU - Alessandra Fidelis
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/11
JO - Scientific Data
DO - 10.1038/s41597-026-08151-w
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05746521v1
AB - Belowground functional diversity is relevant to numerous ecosystem functions and to ecosystem resilience under global change, yet quantitative information on belowground plant traits is disparate and poorly integrated across fields of research. So far, belowground plant traits have been studied in three disparate research domains: (i) fine root traits in the context of belowground resource economics and symbioses; (ii) maximum rooting depth and lateral extent of the root system in the context of overall plant allometry and resource uptake; (iii) clonal organs and bud banks with a focus on plant and community resilience. However, there remains a major disconnection among these three fields of research. A prerequisite for linking them together is the creation of a comprehensive, curated, open-access dataset available for comprehensive analyses. Here, we compiled and harmonised such a trait dataset for 10,453 vascular plant species and 19 belowground plant traits, which we named UNDERPLOT. Based on these data, we defined two integrative indices, a Belowground Persistence Type (BPT) and a Clonal Spread Index (CSI), which are suitable trait-based indicators for predicting resistance and resilience of communities to disturbance. Further applications will increase our knowledge of the dimensionality of the belowground trait space, adding new insights into trait–environment relationships, vegetation responses to climate change and disturbance, as well as a deeper understanding of evolutionary first principles.
SN - 2052-4463
ER -