Forest tree growth is linked to mycorrhizal fungal composition and function across Europe.

ABSTRACT: Most trees form symbioses with ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) which influence access to growth-limiting soil resources. Mesocosm experiments repeatedly show that EMF species differentially affect plant development, yet whether these effects ripple up to influence the growth of entire forests remains unknown. Here we tested the effects of EMF composition and functional genes relative to variation in well-known drivers of tree growth by combining paired molecular EMF surveys with high-resolution forest inventory data across 15 European countries. We show that EMF composition was linked to a three-fold difference in tree growth rate even when controlling for the primary abiotic drivers of tree growth. Fast tree growth was associated with EMF communities harboring high inorganic but low organic n

SUBMITTER: Anthony MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9038731 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature