Abstract
Ecologists are becoming increasing aware of the role of aboveground-belowground relationships in controlling ecosystem processes and properties. Here we review recent studies that show that relationships between aboveground and belowground communities operate over different temporal scales, ranging from days to seasons, to millennia, with differing consequences for ecosystem structure and function. We propose that a temporal framework is pivotal to understanding the nature and ecological significance of relationships between aboveground and belowground communities.
Trends in Ecology and Evolution 20: 534-541