Unveiling the role of foliar fungi in mediating leaf photosynthesis under global change

Global nitrogen (N) deposition and changes in precipitation patterns
profoundly influence leaf photosynthesis and carbon sequestration in
terrestrial ecosystems. Foliar fungi, a critical microbial community on
leaf surfaces, could simultaneously impact several leaf functions.
However, the regulated effects of foliar fungi on leaf photosynthesis in
response to nitrogen and water additions remain unclear.  Here,
using a long-term field and a complementary pot fungicide experiment in an
alpine meadow, we quantified the effects of nitrogen and water addition on
leaf photosynthesis and foliar fungal communities in two dominant species.