A global analysis of root distributions for terrestrial biomes was conducted by synthesizing 250 root studies across 11 biomes. The study used the equation Y = 1 - β^d to model root depth distribution, where β is a parameter representing rooting depth. Biomes with shallow root profiles included tundra, boreal forest, and temperate grasslands, while deserts and temperate coniferous forests had deeper root profiles. Root biomass varied widely, with tropical evergreen forests having the highest (5 kg m⁻²), and croplands, deserts, tundra, and grasslands having lower values. Root/shoot (R/S) ratios were highest in tundra, grasslands, and cold deserts, and lowest in forests and croplands. Grasses had more roots in the top 10 cm of soil than shrubs. Temperate and tropical trees had β = 0.970, with 26% of roots in the top 10 cm and 60% in the top 30 cm. Globally, the average β was 0.966, with 30%, 50%, and 75% of roots in the top 10 cm, 20 cm, and 40 cm. The study highlights the importance of root distributions in processes like water fluxes, soil decomposition, carbon sequestration, and nutrient cycling. It also suggests future research directions, including incorporating more realistic root distributions into global models for environmental change predictions. The study used a database of 250 references, including data from all continents except Antarctica. Root depth data were analyzed for each biome, and root biomass and R/S ratios were calculated. The model used β as the only parameter, with higher β values indicating deeper root distribution. The study emphasizes the need for further research on root distributions and their role in ecosystem functioning.A global analysis of root distributions for terrestrial biomes was conducted by synthesizing 250 root studies across 11 biomes. The study used the equation Y = 1 - β^d to model root depth distribution, where β is a parameter representing rooting depth. Biomes with shallow root profiles included tundra, boreal forest, and temperate grasslands, while deserts and temperate coniferous forests had deeper root profiles. Root biomass varied widely, with tropical evergreen forests having the highest (5 kg m⁻²), and croplands, deserts, tundra, and grasslands having lower values. Root/shoot (R/S) ratios were highest in tundra, grasslands, and cold deserts, and lowest in forests and croplands. Grasses had more roots in the top 10 cm of soil than shrubs. Temperate and tropical trees had β = 0.970, with 26% of roots in the top 10 cm and 60% in the top 30 cm. Globally, the average β was 0.966, with 30%, 50%, and 75% of roots in the top 10 cm, 20 cm, and 40 cm. The study highlights the importance of root distributions in processes like water fluxes, soil decomposition, carbon sequestration, and nutrient cycling. It also suggests future research directions, including incorporating more realistic root distributions into global models for environmental change predictions. The study used a database of 250 references, including data from all continents except Antarctica. Root depth data were analyzed for each biome, and root biomass and R/S ratios were calculated. The model used β as the only parameter, with higher β values indicating deeper root distribution. The study emphasizes the need for further research on root distributions and their role in ecosystem functioning.