Global Distribution of Root Profiles in Terrestrial Ecosystems

Rooting depths were estimated from a global database of root profiles assembled from the primary literature to study relationships of abiotic and biotic factors associated with belowground vegetation structure. For each root profile, information recorded includes latitude and longitude, elevation, soil texture, depth of organic horizons, type of roots measured (e.g., fine or total, live or dead), sampling methods, units of measurements (root mass, length, number, surface area), and sampling depth.