biostudies-literatureUnknown15Zhang F<h4>Introduction</h4>Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are pivotal in plant resource acquisition, mediating plant interactions, and influencing soil carbon dynamics. However, their biogeographical distribution in Tibetan alpine grasslands remains understudied.<h4>Methods</h4>In this research, we examined the distribution pattern of AMF communities and their key determinants along a 2000-km transect across the Tibetan plateau, encompassing 7 alpine meadows and 8 alpine steppes.<h4>Results</h4>Our findings indicate that AMF community diversity and composition exhibit similarities between alpine meadows and alpine steppes, primarily influenced by latitude and evapotranspiration. At the genus level, <i>Glomus</i> predominated in both alpine meadow (36.49%±2.67%) and alpine steppe (41.87%±2.36%) soils, followed by <i>Paraglomus</i> (27.14%±3.69%, 32.34%±3.28%). Furthermore, a significant decay relationship of AMF community was observed over geographical distance. Null model analyses revealed that random processes predominantly (>50%) drove the assembly of AMF communities.<h4>Discussion</h4>In summary, our study elucidates the spatial distribution pattern of AMF in Tibetan plateau grasslands and underscores the significant influence of geographical and climatic factors on AMF community dynamics.Frontiers in plant science1427850https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11264307biostudies-literatureSpatial distribution and drivers of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the Tibetan Plateau.PMC11264307Zhang FLi YJi BDong SfalseSpatial distribution and drivers of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the Tibetan Plateau.<h4>Introduction</h4>Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are pivotal in plant resource acquisition, mediating plant interactions, and influencing soil carbon dynamics. However, their biogeographical distribution in Tibetan alpine grasslands remains understudied.<h4>Methods</h4>In this research, we examined the distribution pattern of AMF communities and their key determinants along a 2000-km transect across the Tibetan plateau, encompassing 7 alpine meadows and 8 alpine steppes.<h4>Results</h4>Our findings indicate that AMF community diversity and composition exhibit similarities between alpine meadows and alpine steppes, primarily influenced by latitude and evapotranspiration. At the genus level, <i>Glomus</i> predominated in both alpine meadow (36.49%±2.67%) and alpine steppe (41.87%±2.36%) soils, followed by <i>Paraglomus</i> (27.14%±3.69%, 32.34%±3.28%). Furthermore, a significant decay relationship of AMF community was observed over geographical distance. Null model analyses revealed that random processes predominantly (>50%) drove the assembly of AMF communities.<h4>Discussion</h4>In summary, our study elucidates the spatial distribution pattern of AMF in Tibetan plateau grasslands and underscores the significant influence of geographical and climatic factors on AMF community dynamics.2024-01-01T00:00:00Z20242026-06-02T09:10:15.699Z2025-06-01T01:16:40.874ZS-EPMC112643073904559310.3389/fpls.2024.1427850