Many plants develop a second layer of deeper roots. Often more than one meter underground, to access additional nutrients. A report on plants that have double roots appeared in the journal Nature Communications.
The new study reveals previously unknown rooting patterns. This modifies our understanding of how ecosystems respond to changing environmental conditions, according to the authors. The study suggests that plants could transport and store carbon fixed to greater depth than is currently believed. It is good news at a time when CO2 levels reach their highest level in 800,000 years.
Double roots
«Understanding where plants are rooted is vital. Deeper roots could mean a safer carbon storage and long term. The most adverse conditions in depth could prevent the microbes that feed on death from releasing carbon to the atmosphere. This is stated in a statement.
Apparently, it would be a natural carbon storage mechanism in underground depths. Soil collected samples were used at 2 meters deep. This unprecedented depth allowed researchers to detect additional root patterns, covering various climatic zones and types of ecosystems. From the tundra of Alaska to the tropical jungles of Puerto Rico.
20% of the ecosystems studied had roots that reached twice their depth. It is a phenomenon called "bimodality." Plants that have double roots developed a second layer of deeper roots. Often more than one meter underground, aligned with soil layers rich in nutrients. This suggests that plants grew, in previously unknown ways, to take advantage of additional livelihoods.
«Current knowledge about the roots is literally very superficial. On the surface, we have an eagle vision, thanks to satellites and remote sensing. But underground, we have a vision of Topo, ”they indicate. "This affects the water cycle and the long -term capacity of soils to store carbon."
«Our limited underground vision prevents us from estimating the total capacity of plants to store carbon in soil depths. The deep roots of the plants can increase carbon storage in the soil in certain conditions. Or cause losses in others due to the stimulation of the microbes of the soil, ”they suggest.
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