Fine roots are an important component of the carbon and nutrient budgets of terrestrial ecosystems. Recent developments in microvideo image analysis have made it possible to quantify fine root production, longevity and mortality for the first time under natural and experimental field conditions. Studies have shown that the root systems of plants are dynamic and responsive to changing atmospheric CO2 concentrations, soil temperature, and soil nitrogen availability. Man-caused deposition of N is a significant environmental concern over industrial regions of the Earth, and increasing atmospheric CO2 and soil temperatures are central facets of changing global environments. Because of our ability to quantify fine root demography, it is now possible to better understand the effects of atmospheric CO2, soil temperature and soil nitrogen availability on plant root dynamics and ecosystem-level feedbacks. Understanding the flux of carbon and nitrogen from root systems to soil and soil microbes is a critical aspect of global change in terrestrial ecosystems. This proposal attempts to justify NSF support for acquisition of instrumentation to quantify effects of global change on plant root, and ecosystem processes.
