The effect of tree species diversity on fine-root production in a young temperate forest

The phenomenon of overyielding in speciesdiverse plant communities is mainly attributed to complementary resource use. Vertical niche differentiation belowground might be one potential mechanism for such complementarity. However, most studies that have analysed the diversity/productivity relationship and belowground niche differentiation have done so for fully occupied sites, not very young tree communities that are in the process of occupying belowground space. Here we used a 5—6 year old forest diversity experiment to analyse how fine-root (