Digging deep to open the white black box of snow root phenology |
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Authors: | Vladimir G. Onipchenko Alii M. Kipkeev Mikhail I. Makarov Anna D. Kozhevnikova Victor B. Ivanov Nadejda A. Soudzilovskaia Dzhamal K. Tekeev Fatima S. Salpagarova Marinus J. A. Werger Johannes H. C. Cornelissen |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Geobotany, Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia 2. Karachaevo-Cherkessian University, Lenina ul. 29, Karachaevsk, Karachaevo-Cherkessian Republic, 369200, Russia 3. Teberda State Reserve, Badukskii 1, Teberda, Karachaevo-Cherkessian Republic, 369210, Russia 4. Department of General Pedology, Faculty of Soil Science, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia 5. Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology RAS, Botanicheskaya ul. 35, Moscow, 127276, Russia 6. Systems Ecology Department of Ecological Science, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands 7. Department of Plant Ecology and Biodiversity, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Abstract: | Snow roots are specialized structures recently discovered in the Caucasian alpine snow-bed plant Corydalis conorhiza. They form extensive networks that grow into snow packs against gravity, most probably to gather nitrogen from snow. Here we test the hypothesis that snow roots are true winter organs, i.e., they should already start growth early in winter to lay down the infrastructure for N capture from snow packs well before their melt-out. This would require winter surface and soil temperatures continuously close to or above freezing. Excavations of snow roots from snow packs in January and May, accompanied by temperature recordings and anatomical observations, supported our hypothesis. These findings complete the annual cycle of snow root phenology. They also emphasize the evolutionary and ecological significance of these specialized winter organs. Moreover, their likely association with a particular abiotic temperature and snow regime will facilitate the search for snow roots in other species. |
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