Shifts in dominant tree mycorrhizal associations in response to anthropogenic impacts

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  • Authors: Insu, Jo; Fei, Songlin; Oswalt, Christopher M.; Domke, Grant M.; Phillips, Richard P.
  • Publication Year: 2019
  • Publication Series: Scientific Journal (JRNL)
  • Source: Science Advances Vol. 5, no. 4
  • DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aav6358

Abstract

Plant-fungal symbioses play critical roles in vegetation dynamics and nutrient cycling, modulating the impacts of global changes on ecosystem functioning. Here, we used forest inventory data consisting ofmore than 3million trees to develop a spatially resolved “mycorrhizal tree map” of the contiguousUnited States.Weshowthat abundances of the two dominant mycorrhizal tree groups—arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal trees—are associated primarily with climate. Further, we show that anthropogenic influences, primarily nitrogen (N) deposition and fire suppression, in concert with climate change, have increased AM tree dominance during the past three decades in the eastern United States. Given that most AM-dominated forests in this region are underlain by soils with high N availability, our results suggest that the increasing abundance of AM trees has the potential to induce nutrient acceleration, with critical consequences for forest productivity, ecosystemcarbon and nutrient retention, and feedbacks to climate change. 

  • Citation: Jo, Insu; Fei, Songlin; Oswalt, Christopher M.; Domke, Grant M.; Phillips, Richard P. 2019. Shifts in dominant tree mycorrhizal associations in
    response to anthropogenic impacts. Science Advances vol. 5, no. 4, 9 p.
  • Posted Date: April 10, 2019
  • Modified Date: April 10, 2019

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