Coming to Common Ground: The Challenges of Applying Ecological Theory Developed Aboveground to Rhizosphere Interactions

Abstract

Accumulating evidence supports the importance of belowground interactions for plant performance, ecosystem functioning, and conservation biology. However, studying species interactions belowground has unique challenges relative to the aboveground realm. The structure of the media and spatial scale are among the key aspects that seem to strongly influence belowground interactions. As a consequence, our understanding of species interactions belowground is limited, at least compared to what is known about interactions aboveground. Here we address the general question: Do the ecological concepts that have been developed largely in aboveground systems apply to understanding species interactions in the rhizosphere? We first explore to what extent ecological concepts related to species interactions are considered in rhizosphere studies across various subdisciplines. Next, we explore differences and similarities above-and belowground for fundamental concepts in ecology, choosing topics that are underrepresented in rhizosphere studies but represent a swath of concepts: species diversity, island biogeography, self-organization and ecosystem engineering, trophic cascades, and chemical communication. Finally, we highlight to overcome major challenges of current methodologies to study rhizosphere interactions in order to advance the understanding of belowground interactions in an ecological context. By synthesizing literature related to rhizosphere interactions, we reveal similarities, as well as key differences, in how fundamental ecological concepts are used and tested in above-and belowground studies. Closing the knowledge gaps identified in our synthesis will promote a deeper understanding of the differences above-and belowground and ultimately lead to integration of these concepts.

XRD-Thermal Combined Analyses: An Approach to Evaluate the Potential of Phytoremediation, Phytomining, and Biochar Production

“…The rhizosphere is the part of the soil ecosystem where plant roots, soil, and microorganisms interact with each other [56,57]. Here, the metabolic processes of roots create a peculiar physicochemical environment that often differs from that of the bulk soil [58,59].…”

The Influence of Budget Participation, Clarity of Budget Targets on Managerial Performance

“…This theory describes setting goals related to achievement or performance. This theory also describes effective and efficient task performances that can be supported by firm goals and provide challenges and accurate direct responses (Ashwin, 2012;Shelef et al, 2019).…”

Friends, neighbours and enemies: an overview of the communal and social biology of plants

“…However, it is also now clear that plants have multiple mechanisms by which they can actively detect neighbouring plants (Figure 2). Mostly, plants use “cues” to do this—information that neighbouring plants cannot avoid making available for detection (Karlovsky, 2008; Shelef, Hahn, Getman‐Pickering, & Martinez Medina, 2019). In this section, we introduce the main mechanisms of neighbour detection, critique the evidence for more speculative mechanisms, and examine whether these mechanisms might allow plants to distinguish between neighbours.…”