Abstract: We examined the interspcific and root order related variations in fine root morphology and stoichiometric traits of 8 Fagaceae species in an evergreen broadleaved forest in Wanmulin Nature Reserve of Fujian Province. The results showed that fine root diameter, tissue density (RTD) and C/N increased significantly, and specific root length (SRL) and N concentration decreased significantly, but C concentration showed no clear trend with increasing root orders. The main driver for interspecific variation in SRL depended on root orders: the interspecific variations of SRL for the first two orders were mainly caused by root diameter, while those for the higher root orders were caused by RTD. Moreover, the interspecific variations of root traits for the Fagaceae did not conform to a single axis, i.e., the “root economic spectrum”, but had two variation dimensions similar to those found on the global scale, that is, “do-it-yourself vs. mycorrhizal dependence” and “resource acquisition vs. conservation”. There were obvious differences in the ecological strategies of fine roots among different Fagaceae species.

Key words: Fagaceae, functional trait, stoichiometry, ecological strategy, fine root order.