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Global Distribution of Fine Root Biomass in Terrestrial Ecosystems

Published by ORNL_DAAC | National Aeronautics and Space Administration | Catalog Last Checked: May 18, 2026 at 03:34 PM | Dataset Last Updated: May 11, 2026
A global data set of root biomass, rooting profiles, and concentrations nutrients in roots was compiled from the primary literature and used to study distributions of root properties. This data set consists of estimates of fine root biomass and specific area, site characteristics, and source references associated with two papers (Jackson et al. 1996 and 1997).Understanding and predicting ecosystem functioning (e.g., carbon and water fluxes) and the role of soils in carbon storage requires an accurate assessment of plant rooting distributions.

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Complete Metadata
@type dcat:Dataset
accessLevel public
bureauCode 
                                            [
  "026:00"
]
contactPoint 
                                            {
  "fn": "Earthdata Forum",
  "@type": "vcard:Contact",
  "hasEmail": "mailto:earthdata-support@nasa.gov"
}
description A global data set of root biomass, rooting profiles, and concentrations nutrients in roots was compiled from the primary literature and used to study distributions of root properties. This data set consists of estimates of fine root biomass and specific area, site characteristics, and source references associated with two papers (Jackson et al. 1996 and 1997).Understanding and predicting ecosystem functioning (e.g., carbon and water fluxes) and the role of soils in carbon storage requires an accurate assessment of plant rooting distributions.
distribution 
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]
identifier 10.3334/ORNLDAAC/658
keyword 
                                            [
  "earth-science-vegetation-biosphere-biomass",
  "earth-science-vegetation-biosphere-nutrients",
  "earth-science-vegetation-biosphere-plant-characteristics"
]
license https://www.usa.gov/government-works
modified 2026-05-11
programCode 
                                            [
  "026:000"
]
publisher 
                                            {
  "name": "ORNL_DAAC",
  "@type": "org:Organization"
}
spatial 
                                            "[[{"WestBoundingCoordinate":-160.0,"NorthBoundingCoordinate":75.0,"EastBoundingCoordinate":175.0,"SouthBoundingCoordinate":-54.0}],"CARTESIAN"]"
temporal 1965-01-01/1996-12-31
theme 
                                            [
  "Earth Science"
]
title Global Distribution of Fine Root Biomass in Terrestrial Ecosystems

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