RhizoNet is a network of sites across China and elsewhere (Site Locations) coupling detailed observations of root and rhizosphere processes with more commonly measured aspects of plant growth and ecosystem productivity. This work is being conducted across a range of species that vary in their taxonomy, life history, functional niche, and habitat. The network includes sites from ecosystems in boreal, temperate, subtropical, tropical, grassland, and desert biomes. Core data collected from each may include, but are not necessarily limited to, observations of root and rhizosphere dynamics, basic soil characterizations, and annual climate data, as well as standard measures of aboveground dynamics.
Implicit in our network effort is a belief that we can conduct more powerful, efficient, and important science through collaboration. Therefore, we are interested in collaborating and opening network sites for additional investigations and novel scientific questions (Get Involved). Access can be granted pending approval from network and local site administrators. Additional sites may also be added to RhizoNet provided that local site administrators agree to network standards of data collection and data sharing. All data collected will be archived and made available within a common network database.
Why build a network to observe coupled rhizosphere-ecosystem dynamics? Detailed observations of root and broader belowground dynamics have only really emerged in the last few decades with a few notable exceptions (Lyr and Hoffmann 1967 and references therein), and quality data are still scarce. In contrast, high quality and relatively long-term observations have been made on aboveground plant structures for several centuries (White and Fowler 1901, Aono and Kazui 2008). As a result, our understanding of belowground processes lags well behind our understanding and appreciation of aboveground dynamics. To bring understanding of above- and belowground systems into balance, intensive efforts monitoring and testing controls on basic patterns of root and rhizosphere dynamics must be carried out. To complement existing global datasets aboveground (e.g. Reich et al. 2007, Zanne et al. 2009) efforts extending observations belowground will need to cover a broad range of species, ecosystems, and biomes. The magnitude of work required to achieve a basic level of understanding of belowground dynamics at a global scale is formidable. Success can only be achieved through a dedicated network of collaborators utilizing the same or complementary methods across a broad range of site locations and specifically incorporating relevant gradients of climate, soil, species compositions and species ages.
Implicit in our network effort is a belief that we can conduct more powerful, efficient, and important science through collaboration. Therefore, we are interested in collaborating and opening network sites for additional investigations and novel scientific questions (Get Involved). Access can be granted pending approval from network and local site administrators. Additional sites may also be added to RhizoNet provided that local site administrators agree to network standards of data collection and data sharing. All data collected will be archived and made available within a common network database.
Why build a network to observe coupled rhizosphere-ecosystem dynamics? Detailed observations of root and broader belowground dynamics have only really emerged in the last few decades with a few notable exceptions (Lyr and Hoffmann 1967 and references therein), and quality data are still scarce. In contrast, high quality and relatively long-term observations have been made on aboveground plant structures for several centuries (White and Fowler 1901, Aono and Kazui 2008). As a result, our understanding of belowground processes lags well behind our understanding and appreciation of aboveground dynamics. To bring understanding of above- and belowground systems into balance, intensive efforts monitoring and testing controls on basic patterns of root and rhizosphere dynamics must be carried out. To complement existing global datasets aboveground (e.g. Reich et al. 2007, Zanne et al. 2009) efforts extending observations belowground will need to cover a broad range of species, ecosystems, and biomes. The magnitude of work required to achieve a basic level of understanding of belowground dynamics at a global scale is formidable. Success can only be achieved through a dedicated network of collaborators utilizing the same or complementary methods across a broad range of site locations and specifically incorporating relevant gradients of climate, soil, species compositions and species ages.
Aono, Y. and K. Kazui. 2008. Phenological data series of cherry tree flowering in Kyoto, Japan, and its application to reconstruction of springtime temperatures since the 9th century. International Journal of Climatology 28:905-914.
Lyr, H. and G. Hoffmann. 1967. Growth rates and growth periodicity of tree roots. Int. Rev. For Res.(NY) 2:181-236.
Reich, P. B., I. J. Wright, and C. H. Lusk. 2007. Predicting leaf physiology from simple plant and climate attributes: a global GLOPNET analysis. Ecological Applications 17:1982-1988.
White, G. and W. W. Fowler. 1901. The natural history and antiquities of Selborne. GP Putnam's sons.
Zanne, A. E., G. Lopez-Gonzalez, D. A. Coomes, J. Ilic, S. Jansen, S. L. Lewis, R. B. Miller, N. G. Swenson, M. C. Wiemann, and J. Chave. 2009. Global wood density database, Dryad. www.datadryad.org.
Lyr, H. and G. Hoffmann. 1967. Growth rates and growth periodicity of tree roots. Int. Rev. For Res.(NY) 2:181-236.
Reich, P. B., I. J. Wright, and C. H. Lusk. 2007. Predicting leaf physiology from simple plant and climate attributes: a global GLOPNET analysis. Ecological Applications 17:1982-1988.
White, G. and W. W. Fowler. 1901. The natural history and antiquities of Selborne. GP Putnam's sons.
Zanne, A. E., G. Lopez-Gonzalez, D. A. Coomes, J. Ilic, S. Jansen, S. L. Lewis, R. B. Miller, N. G. Swenson, M. C. Wiemann, and J. Chave. 2009. Global wood density database, Dryad. www.datadryad.org.
