Hidden world, big impact: Uncovering how Arctic shrub roots respond to climate warming

Up to 80% of the plant biomass in the Arctic resides belowground in the form of roots, yet we know little of their role in ecosystem carbon dynamics. In particular, research on root decomposition lags behind our understanding of aboveground plant parts.

This lack of knowledge is particularly concerning as shrub growth and expansion accelerate in the Arctic and alpine tundra due to warming temperatures.

The impact of warmer temperatures on root decomposition in these shrub-dominated ecosystems remains virtually unknown.My project will fill this gap by investigating the effects of climate warming on root decomposition in Arctic and alpine tundra ecosystems and in doing so will be a major step forward in understanding how these processes influence the dynamics of carbon and nutrient cycling.

By combining different approaches, such as space-for-time substitution, coordinated, distributed experiments with experimental warming using open-top chambers at multiple tundra sites, and growth chamber experiments with controlled environmental conditions, I will gain valuable insights into the mechanisms controlling root decomposition in response to climate change.

This knowledge will not only advance scientific understanding, but also will also benefit society by clarifying how shrubification affects carbon and nutrients, leading to better climate predictions and the development of effective mitigation strategies in Arctic and alpine regions facing rapid environmental change.