AUTHOR=Fantozzi Daniele , Montagnoli Antonio , Trupiano Dalila , Di Martino Paolo , Scippa Gabriella Stefania , Agosto Gustavo , Chiatante Donato , Sferra Gabriella TITLE=A systematic review of studies on fine and coarse root traits measurement: towards the enhancement of urban forests monitoring and management JOURNAL=Frontiers in Forests and Global Change VOLUME=7 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/forests-and-global-change/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2024.1322087 DOI=10.3389/ffgc.2024.1322087 ISSN=2624-893X ABSTRACT=
The analysis of fine and coarse roots’ functional traits has the potential to reveal the performance of the root system, which is pivotal in tree growth, development, and failure in both natural and urban forest ecosystems. Furthermore, root traits may be a powerful indicator of tree resilience mechanisms. However, due to the inherent difficulties in measuring ‘the hidden half,’ and despite the recent advancements, the relationships among root functional traits and biotic and abiotic drivers still suffer from a lack of information. Thus, our study aimed to evidence knowledge milestones and gaps and to categorize, discuss, and suggest future directions for effective experimental designs in fine and coarse root studies. To this end, we conducted a systematic literature review supported by backward manual referencing based on 55 root functional traits and 136 plant species potentially suitable for afforestation and reforestation of natural and urban forest ecosystems. The majority of the 168 papers on fine and coarse root studies selected in our review focused predominantly on European natural contexts for a few plant species, such as