Describing the vertical root distribution of alpine plants with simple climate, soil, and plant attributes

The vertical root distribution (VRD) in the soil remains unknown for most plant species, as studying systems different pedo-climatic settings is time-consuming and methodologically challenging. Yet, information on VRD of vegetation types essential to understand better biogeochemical processes occurring at soil–plant-atmosphere continuum. aim this study was describe three dominant alpine, herbaceous plants (i.e. Euphrasia minima Jacq., Leucanthemopsis alpina L., Poa L.) basis simple easy-to-measure climate, soil, attributes order test validity existing descriptive protocols parametric ecohydrological models. results showed that decreased with depth it can be effectively described a negative exponential equation. Key parameters, such mean rooting depth, cross-sectional area collar, biomass, were both site species-specific but they chiefly influenced by regulating soil’s water mass balance. models not able portray successfully studied alpine we found strong correlation between empirical establish clear direction future research. Future work should address influence snowpack characteristics length snow-free frozen ground periods ecohydrology ecosystems.