Fine root dynamics within land-use change from tropical forests to agriculture: A systematic review protocol

 Conversion of tropical forests to agriculture contributes significantly to global warming, causing an estimated 12–18% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, estimates of ecosystem carbon fluxes are not accurate mainly because of the limited understanding of their belowground components. Root dynamics, i.e. root production, mortality and decomposition, are crucial elements of ecosystem functioning; an understanding of root dynamics is required to estimate the carbon cycle accurately.