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Higher productivity in forests with mixed mycorrhizal strategies.

ABSTRACT: Decades of theory and empirical studies have demonstrated links between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, yet the putative processes that underlie these patterns remain elusive. This is especially true for forest ecosystems, where the functional traits of plant species are challenging to quantify. We analyzed 74,563 forest inventory plots that span 35 ecoregions in the contiguous USA and found that in ~77% of the ecoregions mixed mycorrhizal plots were more productive than plots where either arbuscular or ectomycorrhizal fungal-associated tree species were dominant. Moreover, the positive effects of mixing mycorrhizal strategies on forest productivity were more pronounced at low than high tree species richness. We conclude that at low richness different mycorrhizal strategies may allow tree species to partition nutrient uptake and thus can increase community productivity, whereas at high richness other dimensions of functional diversity can enhance resource partitioning and community productivity. Our findings highlight the importance of mixed mycorrhizal strategies, in addition to that of taxonomic diversity in general, for maintaining ecosystem functioning in forests.

SUBMITTER: Luo S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10011551 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Higher productivity in forests with mixed mycorrhizal strategies.

Luo Shan S Phillips Richard P RP Jo Insu I Fei Songlin S Liang Jingjing J Schmid Bernhard B Eisenhauer Nico N

Nature communications 20230313 1

Decades of theory and empirical studies have demonstrated links between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, yet the putative processes that underlie these patterns remain elusive. This is especially true for forest ecosystems, where the functional traits of plant species are challenging to quantify. We analyzed 74,563 forest inventory plots that span 35 ecoregions in the contiguous USA and found that in ~77% of the ecoregions mixed mycorrhizal plots were more productive than plots where eith ...[more]

PMID: 36914630

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Project description:BackgroundNutrient limitation is a universal phenomenon in terrestrial ecosystems. Root and mycorrhizal are critical to plant nutrient absorption in nutrient-limited ecosystems. However, how they are modified by N and P limitations with advancing vegetation successions in karst forests remains poorly understood. The present study compared the diversity indices, composition, and co-occurrence network of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) between grassland, shrubland, shrub-tree forest, and tree forest in subtropical karst forests, as well as soil nutrients and fine root functional traits (e.g., specific root length (SRL), specific root area (SRA), diameter, biomass, and N and P contents).ResultsThe fine roots diameter, biomass, and N and P contents increased with advancing succession, whereas SRL and SRA decreased. Network complexity and Richness and Chao1 indices of AMF increased from grassland to shrub-tree forest but decreased in tree forest. The fine roots N and P contents were positively related to their diameter and biomass, soil nutrients, and AMF composition but were negatively correlated with SRL and SRA. Moreover, these two parameters increased with the increase of soil nutrients. The variations in fine roots N and P contents were mainly explained by soil nutrients and fine root functional traits in grassland and by the interactions of soil nutrients, fine root functional traits, and AMF in the other three stages. Additionally, the interactive explanation with AMF increased from shrubland to shrub-tree forest but decreased in tree forest.ConclusionsOur results indicated that mycorrhizal strategy might be the main nutrient acquisition strategy under N and P co-limitation. In contrast, the root strategy is the main one when an individual is subject to limitations in N or P in karst ecosystems. Root and mycorrhizal nutrient acquisition strategies are generally mutualistic, mycorrhizal strategy enhances plant nutrient acquisition under N and P co-limitation.

Project description:The allocation of the net primary productivity (NPP) of an ecosystem between canopy, woody tissue and fine roots is an important descriptor of the functioning of that ecosystem, and an important feature to correctly represent in terrestrial ecosystem models. Here, we collate and analyse a global dataset of NPP allocation in tropical forests, and compare this with the representation of NPP allocation in 13 terrestrial ecosystem models. On average, the data suggest an equal partitioning of allocation between all three main components (mean 34 ± 6% canopy, 39 ± 10% wood, 27 ± 11% fine roots), but there is substantial site-to-site variation in allocation to woody tissue versus allocation to fine roots. Allocation to canopy (leaves, flowers and fruit) shows much less variance. The mean allocation of the ecosystem models is close to the mean of the data, but the spread is much greater, with several models reporting allocation partitioning outside of the spread of the data. Where all main components of NPP cannot be measured, litterfall is a good predictor of overall NPP (r(2) = 0.83 for linear fit forced through origin), stem growth is a moderate predictor and fine root production a poor predictor. Across sites the major component of variation of allocation is a shifting allocation between wood and fine roots, with allocation to the canopy being a relatively invariant component of total NPP. This suggests the dominant allocation trade-off is a 'fine root versus wood' trade-off, as opposed to the expected 'root-shoot' trade-off; such a trade-off has recently been posited on theoretical grounds for old-growth forest stands. We conclude by discussing the systematic biases in estimates of allocation introduced by missing NPP components, including herbivory, large leaf litter and root exudates production. These biases have a moderate effect on overall carbon allocation estimates, but are smaller than the observed range in allocation values across sites.

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Higher productivity in forests with mixed mycorrhizal strategies.

Publications

Higher productivity in forests with mixed mycorrhizal strategies.

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