Table 1 Fine root biomass, productivity (Mean ± 1 S.E. with range in parentheses), and number of samples (n) for plant groups by ecosystem types, life forms, leaf phenology, and phylogeny. Differences between ecosystem types are tested using a one-way ANOVA with a Tukey’s post hoc test for significance. Significant differences (α = 0.05) are indicated by different letters

 Boreal forests

2.23^B ± 0.14 (0.04–10.70)

2.72^C ± 0.17 (0.12–14.19)

184

 Temperate forests

3.19^B ± 0.21 (0.02–30.00)

2.81^C ± 0.22 (0.07–35.09)

254

 Subtropical forests

2.84^B ± 0.27 (0.08–14.48)

2.61^C ± 0.24 (0.05–10.40)

101

 Tropical forests

3.54^B ± 0.29 (0.19–20.58)

2.98^C ± 0.27 (0.06–20.84)

118

 Temperate grasslands

10.10^A ± 1.64 (0.32–65.70)

4.87^BC ± 0.83 (0.21–29.31)

50

 Tropical grasslands

8.71^A ± 1.83 (1.22–24.00)

6.97^AB ± 1.33 (3.06–15.92)

12

 Tundra

9.75^A ± 2.85 (0.23–28.25)

6.66^AB ± 1.77 (0.36–19.70)

16

 Wetlands

8.97^A ± 1.19 (0.04–49.01)

8.03^A ± 1.24 (0.10–54.45)

91

 Forbs

14.35^A ± 8.31 (0.70–40.60)

10.55^A ± 5.58 (1.00–29.17)

5

 Graminoids

11.62^A ± 1.17 (0.04–65.70)

8.76^A ± 1.09 (0.10–54.45)

103

 Shrubs

10.61^A ± 2.52 (0.36–28.25)

7.58^A ± 1.67 (1.02–19.70)

16

 Trees

2.95^B ± 0.11 (0.02–30.00)

2.74^B ± 0.11 (0.05–35.09)

702

 Deciduous

6.35^A ± 0.48 (0.04–65.71)

4.81^A ± 0.41 (0.05–54.45)

333

 Evergreen

3.85^B ± 0.25 (0.02–54.92)

2.84^B ± 0.14 (0.04–35.09)

493

 Angiosperm

5.34^A ± 0.34 (0.04–65.71)

4.18^A ± 0.27 (0.05–54.45)

497

 Gymnosperm

2.59^B ± 0.14 (0.02–15.00)

2.79^B ± 0.16 (0.11–35.09)

329

 All

4.24 ± 0.22 (0.02–65.71)

3.63 ± 0.19 (0.04–54.45)

826