Priority Colonization of Endophytic Fungal Strains Drives Litter Decomposition and Saprotroph Assembly via Functional Trait Selection in Karst Oak Forests.

ABSTRACT: Litter decomposition dynamics are largely governed by microbial interactions. While the involvement of endophytic fungi in early-stage decomposition and microbial succession is well established, their species-specific contributions to decomposer community assembly remain insufficiently understood. This study investigated the effects of single-strain endophytic colonization using dominant species (Tubakia dryina, Tubakia dryinoides, Guignardia sp.) and rare species (Neofusicoccum parvum, Penicillium citrinum) on Quercus acutissima leaf decomposition through a controlled field experiment in a karst ecosystem. Endophytes accelerated decomposition rates across treatments but paradoxically reduced transient CO₂ emissions, linked to intensifie

SUBMITTER: Yang D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12114589 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature