Exploring the hidden role of roots in a warming Arctic
I am a plant ecologist passionate about uncovering the secrets of plant roots, which dominate biomass in Arctic and alpine tundra. My research focuses on how warming influences root decomposition—a crucial process that governs the release of carbon stored in Arctic soils, one of the planet's largest carbon reservoirs.
With climate warming driving the rapid expansion of shrubs into Arctic and alpine ecosystems, the role of roots in carbon dynamics is more important—and uncertain—than ever. Roots make up to 80% of the biomass in these ecosystems and are vital for carbon storage and nutrient cycling. Yet, while much attention has been given to aboveground vegetation, the effects of warming on root decomposition remain poorly understood. This knowledge gap poses a major challenge to predicting how Arctic soils, which hold 50% of the world’s soil carbon, will respond to climate change. If decomposition rates outpace plant growth, these soils could transition from carbon sinks to sources, amplifying global warming.
To address this, I work with the International Tundra Experiment (ITEX), a global network of researchers studying the effects of warming in the Arctic tundra. My project spans sites across the circumpolar Arctic, including Sweden, Norway, Canada, and Alaska, where I use field-based warming experiments and controlled growth chamber studies to unravel how root decomposition responds to a warming climate.
By combining insights from diverse ecosystems and experimental approaches, my work sheds light on the critical, yet often overlooked, role of roots in Arctic carbon dynamics. Ultimately, my goal is to provide valuable knowledge to predict how vegetation changes in the Arctic will influence carbon release and storage, with implications that extend far beyond the Arctic.