The diversity of mycorrhiza-associated fungi and trees shape subtropical mountain forest ecosystem functioning

Aim: Mycorrhiza play key roles in ecosystem structure and functioning in forests. However, how different mycorrhizal types influence mountain forest biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships is largely unknown. We evaluate how the diversity of distinct mycorrhiza-associated fungi and trees shape forest carbon storage along elevational gradients.
Location: Gaoligong Mountains within Hengduan Mountains, Southwest China.
Taxon: Seed plants and mycorrhizal fungi.
Methods: We used the data from 31 subtropical forest plots along elevational gradients on two aspects (east and west) of the mountain. We quantified species richness of trees and symbiotic fungi and assigned both to their mycorrhizal type (arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM), ectomycorrhiza (EcM) and ericoid mycorrhiza (ErM)). We then examined the diversity effects of mycorrhiza-associated fungi and trees on above-ground carbon stored in trees and organic carbon stored in soils.
Results: Species richness was highest for AM trees (7..., ,