Mechanistically-grounded pathways connect remotely sensed canopy structure to soil respiration.

Variation in the soil-to-atmosphere C flux, or soil respiration (R), is influenced by a suite of biotic and abiotic factors, including soil temperature, soil moisture, and root biomass. However, whether light detection and ranging (lidar)-derived canopy structure is tied to soil respiration through its simultaneous influence over these drivers is not known. We assessed relationships between measures of above- and belowground vegetation density and complexity, and evaluated whether R is linked to remotely sensed canopy structure through pathways mediated by established biotic and abiotic mechanisms.