Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia –
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Forests are not only the lungs of the planet, but also home to millions of species. However, until now it has remained unclear how underground interactions between trees and fungi affect forest species richness in different climates. Previous studies have produced conflicting results: in some regions, the dominance of certain fungi reduced tree diversity, while in others, it increased it.
There are two main types of fungi that participate in symbiosis with trees: ectomycorrhizal (ECM fungi) and arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM fungi).
ESM fungi form a dense "cover" (mantle) on tree roots, but do not penetrate into the plant cells. They help trees obtain water and nutrients, and protect the roots from diseases. AM fungi penetrate into the root cells, forming tree-like structures called arbuscules. They improve the absorption of water and minerals from the soil.
An international team with the participation of scientists from RUDN University conducted a large-scale study, analyzing data from 4,090 forest plots around the world. Using the global GFBI database, they studied the relationship between the proportion of trees that form symbiosis with ectomycorrhizal fungi (EcM) and the species richness of forests. Modern statistical methods were used for the analysis, including generalized linear models, random forest models, and structural equations, which made it possible to take into account the influence of climate, soil, and other factors.
"For the first time, we have obtained a global picture of how mycorrhizal symbioses, these invisible underground alliances, shape the visible diversity of forests from the equator to the Arctic. The study confirmed that the role of fungal symbioses depends on climatic conditions. For example, in the tropics and humid regions, the dominance of EcM trees reduces species richness, since these fungi suppress pathogens and reduce competition. In boreal forests and arid zones, maximum diversity is achieved with a mixture of trees with different types of mycorrhiza (EcM and AM). In temperate latitudes, an intermediate variant is observed, where diversity is higher with a moderate proportion of EcM trees.
The results can be used in forest restoration, biodiversity conservation, and for predicting changes in forest ecosystems. For example, in forest restoration work, the selection of tree species taking into account local fungal symbioses will help create more sustainable and diverse forest ecosystems. Management of soil fungal communities can become a new tool for maintaining species richness in forests. Also, understanding the interaction of fungi and forests improves the quality of predicting changes in forest ecosystems under the influence of climate and anthropogenic factors," said Dmitry Kucher, associate professor of the Institute of Ecology of RUDN University, co-author of the study.
The study was published in the scientific journal Science Advances. HTTPS: //VVV.SCensk.org/da/10.1126/ Scitiodv.Adt5743
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