Fungal energy channeling sustains soil animal communities across forest types and regions

Emerging evidence suggests that microbivory prevails in soil animal communities, yet the relative importance of bacteria, fungi, and plants as basal resource energy channels across taxa and forest types remains unstudied. We developed a novel framework combining stable isotope analysis of essential amino acids (eAAs) and energy fluxes to quantify basal resource contributions and trophic positions of meso- and macrofauna detritivores (Collembola, Oribatida, Diplopoda, Isopoda, Lumbricidae) and predators (Mesostigmata, Chilopoda) in 48 forest sites of different management intensity across Germany. Fungal energy channeling dominated, with the highest energy fluxes and 73 % fungal eAAs across forests and regions. Chilopoda, however, acquired more energy from bacteria and plants. Energy fluxes to Lumbricidae were highest, but decreased, alongside those to other macrofauna, in acidic forests. Trophic positions varied between regions, reflecting changes in community structure linked to regiona..., , , # Data from: Fungal energy channeling sustains soil animal communities across forest types and regions

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.2ngf1vj03 ](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.2ngf1vj03)

## Description of the data and file structure

Metadata, biomass, and essential amino acid data for soil animal communities (Lumbricidae, Oribatida, Collembola, Diplopoda, Chilopoda, Mesostigmata) sampled from 48 forest sites in northern, central, and southern Germany. Descriptions indicate the files needed to reproduce specific figures and results.

Please note that the file \"Assimilation efficiency resources.xlsx\" is not required for the analysis and given as xlsx to show formulas for interested readers.

All statistical analyses have been conducted in R version 4.4.3 (R Core Team 2025).

### Files and variables

Please note that some special characters, such as σ, may show up as ? in the data files.

#### File: C\_standardized\_Final.csv

**Description:** *δ*13C values of amino acids measured using...,