Divergent mycorrhizal pathways in soil nutrient cycling and carbon storage under afforestation: insights from large-scale afforestation in China

Divergent mycorrhizal pathways in soil nutrient cycling and carbon storage under afforestation: insights from large-scale afforestation in China Location: China. Time Period: 1980–2024. Major Taxa Studied: Forest. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of 169 studies comprising 1459 paired observations from afforestation sites across diverse climatic zones (mean annual precipitation 400–1,200 mm). We quantified changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) and macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) following cropland-to-forest conversion. Structural equation modelling was employed to disentangle the mechanistic pathways linking mycorrhizal dominance, climate factors, and afforestation duration to soil nutrient responses.