Incorporating belowground traits: avenues towards a whole?tree perspective on performance

Tree performance depends on the coordinated functioning of interdependent leaves, stems and (mycorrhizal) roots. Integrating plant organs their traits, therefore, provides a more complete understanding tree than studying in isolation. Until recently, our limited root traits impeded such whole-tree perspective performance, but recent developments ecology provide new impetuses for integrating below- aboveground. Here, we identify two key avenues to further develop highlight conceptual practical challenges opportunities involved including belowground. First, individual roots need be scaled up system as whole determine belowground functioning, e.g. total soil water nutrient uptake, hence performance. Second, above- mechanistically connected account how they functionally interact investigate combined impacts We mycorrhizal symbiosis next frontier emphasize several courses actions incorporate these symbionts frameworks. By scaling argued here, can better represented mechanistic models; ultimately, this will improve estimates not only trees, also processes responses environmental change communities ecosystems are part of.