Table 4.

Matrix of Pearson's correlation coefficients for the relationships between leaf traits and analogous root traits and root potential decomposition rate (Root K_pot)

Leaf trait	Analogous root trait		Root Kpot
	r	P-value	r	P-value
Kpot	0·55	*	0·55	*
N	ns		ns
P	ns		ns
C/N	ns		ns
Soluble	0·69	**	0·61	*
Hemicellulose	0·80	***	–0·50	*
Cellulose	0·65	**	–0·54	*
Lignin	ns		ns
LDMC	ns		–0·59	*
SLA	0·59	*	ns

The leaf trait data were obtained from Kazakou et al. (2009).

The analogous root traits are: root K_pot; root N concentration; root P concentration; root C/N ratio; water-soluble compound concentration; hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin concentrations, root tissue density and specific root length (SRL). LDMC, leaf dry matter content; SLA, specific leaf area.

r is Pearson's correlation coefficient, *P < 0·05; **P < 0·01; ***P < 0·001; ns, non-significant.