173
© The Author(s) 2020
J. Cavender-Bares et al. (eds.), Remote Sensing of Plant Biodiversity,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33157-3_8
Chapter 8
Linking Foliar Traits to Belowground
Processes
Michael Madritch, Jeannine Cavender-Bares, Sarah E. Hobbie,
and Philip A. Townsend
8.1 Framework
Remote sensing (RS) of belowground processes via aboveground ecosystem
properties and plant foliar traits depends upon (1) the ability to quantify ecosystem
productivity and relevant plant attributes—including plant chemical composition
and diversity—and (2) tight linkages between above- and belowground systems.
These linkages can occur through the effects of aboveground inputs into belowground systems and/or through relationships between above- and belowground
attributes and, in turn, between belowground relationships between plant roots and
microbial communities and processes (i.e., fine-root turnover, mycorrhizal associations). The increasing ability of remotely sensed information to accurately measure
productivity, ecologically important plant traits (Serbin and Townsend, Chap. 3, this
volume; Wang et al. 2019), and plant taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic
diversity (Wang et al. 2019; Schweiger et al. 2018; Gholizadeh et al. 2019) creates
new opportunities to observe terrestrial ecosystems. While the focus of RS tools is
generally on aboveground vegetation characteristics, the tight linkage between
above- and belowground systems through productivity and foliar chemistry means
that many belowground processes can be inferred from remotely sensed information. Here, we focus on how the productivity and composition of foliar traits in plant
communities influence belowground processes such as decomposition and nutrient
cycling. We specifically consider foliar traits that are increasingly measurable via
M. Madritch (*)
Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA
e-mail: madritchmd@appstate.edu
J. Cavender-Bares · S. E. Hobbie
Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota,
Saint Paul, MN, USA
P. A. Townsend
Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
© The Author(s) 2020
J. Cavender-Bares et al. (eds.), Remote Sensing of Plant Biodiversity,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33157-3_8
Chapter 8
Linking Foliar Traits to Belowground
Processes
Michael Madritch, Jeannine Cavender-Bares, Sarah E. Hobbie,
and Philip A. Townsend
8.1 Framework
Remote sensing (RS) of belowground processes via aboveground ecosystem
properties and plant foliar traits depends upon (1) the ability to quantify ecosystem
productivity and relevant plant attributes—including plant chemical composition
and diversity—and (2) tight linkages between above- and belowground systems.
These linkages can occur through the effects of aboveground inputs into belowground systems and/or through relationships between above- and belowground
attributes and, in turn, between belowground relationships between plant roots and
microbial communities and processes (i.e., fine-root turnover, mycorrhizal associations). The increasing ability of remotely sensed information to accurately measure
productivity, ecologically important plant traits (Serbin and Townsend, Chap. 3, this
volume; Wang et al. 2019), and plant taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic
diversity (Wang et al. 2019; Schweiger et al. 2018; Gholizadeh et al. 2019) creates
new opportunities to observe terrestrial ecosystems. While the focus of RS tools is
generally on aboveground vegetation characteristics, the tight linkage between
above- and belowground systems through productivity and foliar chemistry means
that many belowground processes can be inferred from remotely sensed information. Here, we focus on how the productivity and composition of foliar traits in plant
communities influence belowground processes such as decomposition and nutrient
cycling. We specifically consider foliar traits that are increasingly measurable via
M. Madritch (*)
Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA
e-mail: madritchmd@appstate.edu
J. Cavender-Bares · S. E. Hobbie
Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota,
Saint Paul, MN, USA
P. A. Townsend
Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA