Global mycorrhizal plant distribution linked to terrestrial carbon stocks

Abstract Vegetation impacts on ecosystem functioning are mediated by mycorrhizas, plant–fungal associations formed by most plant species. Ecosystems dominated by distinct mycorrhizal types differ strongly in their biogeochemistry. Quantitative analyses of mycorrhizal impacts on ecosystem functioning are hindered by the scarcity of information on mycorrhizal distributions. Here we present global, high-resolution maps of vegetation biomass distribution by dominant mycorrhizal associations. Arbuscular, ectomycorrhizal, and ericoid mycorrhizal vegetation store, respectively, 241 ± 15, 100 ± 17, and 7 ± 1.8 GT carbon in aboveground biomass, whereas non-mycorrhizal vegetation stores 29 ± 5.5 GT carbon. Soil carbon stocks in both topsoil and subsoil are positively related to the community-level biomass fraction of ectomycorrhizal plants, though the strength of this relationship varies across biomes. We show that human-induced transformations of Earth’s ecosystems have reduced ectomycorrhizal vegetation, with potential ramifications to terrestrial carbon stocks. Our work provides a benchmark for spatially explicit and globally quantitative assessments of mycorrhizal impacts on ecosystem functioning and biogeochemical cycling.

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Global mycorrhizal plant distribution linked to terrestrial carbon stocks

10.1101/331884 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nadejda A. Soudzilovskaia ◽

Peter M. van Bodegom ◽

César Terrer ◽

Maarten van’t Zelfde ◽

Ian McCallum ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Functioning ◽

Carbon Stocks ◽

Plant Distribution ◽

Spatially Explicit ◽

Mycorrhizal Plant ◽

Terrestrial Carbon ◽

Mycorrhizal Associations ◽

Soil Carbon Stocks ◽

Quantitative Analyses ◽

Fungal Association

AbstractVegetation impacts on ecosystem functioning are mediated by mycorrhiza, a plant-fungal association formed by most plant species. Ecosystems dominated by distinct mycorrhizal types differ strongly in their biogeochemistry. Quantitative analyses of mycorrhizal impacts on ecosystem functioning are hindered by the absence of information on mycorrhizal distribution. We present the first global high-resolution maps of vegetation biomass distribution among main types of mycorrhizal associations. Arbuscular, ecto-, ericoid and non-mycorrhizal vegetation store 241±15, 100±17, 7±1.8 and 29 ± 5.5 GT carbon in aboveground biomass, respectively. Soil carbon stocks in both topsoil and subsoil are positively related to the biomass fraction of ectomycorrhizal plants in the community, though the strength of this relationship varies across biomes. We show that human-induced transformations of Earth’s ecosystems have reduced ectomycorrhizal vegetation, with potential knock-on effects on terrestrial carbon stocks. Our work provides a benchmark for spatially explicit global quantitative assessments of mycorrhizal impacts on ecosystem functioning and biogeochemical cycles.One Sentence SummaryFirst maps of the global distribution of mycorrhizal plants reveal global losses of ectomycorrhizal vegetation, and quantitative links between mycorrhizal vegetation patterns and terrestrial carbon stocks.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Global mycorrhizal plant distribution linked to terrestrial carbon stocks.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.736877316.793585477 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ying-Ping Wang

Keyword(s):

Carbon Stocks ◽

Plant Distribution ◽

Mycorrhizal Plant ◽

Terrestrial Carbon

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Plant community functional composition and diversity drive fine-scale variability in carbon cycling in the tundra

10.1101/865899 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Konsta Happonen ◽

Anna-Maria Virkkala ◽

Julia Kemppinen ◽

Pekka Niittynen ◽

Miska Luoto

Keyword(s):

Carbon Cycling ◽

Ecosystem Functioning ◽

Plant Size ◽

Carbon Stocks ◽

Functional Composition ◽

Abiotic Conditions ◽

Soil Organic Carbon Stocks ◽

Soil Temperatures ◽

Soil Carbon Stocks ◽

Leaf Economics

AbstractThe functional composition and diversity of plant communities are globally applicable predictors of ecosystem functioning. However, exactly how traits influence carbon cycling is yet unclear, as are the implications in a warming world.To study how traits affect carbon cycling in the tundra environment, we built a hierarchical model that included abiotic conditions (summer air and winter soil temperatures, and soil resources), plant community functional composition and diversity (plant size and leaf economics), and carbon cycling (above-ground and soil organic carbon stocks, and photosynthetic and respiratory fluxes). We also simulated warming effects on peak-season ecosystem CO2 budget.Plant size was the strongest predictor of all carbon cycling variables except soil carbon stocks. Communities of larger plants were associated with larger CO2 fluxes and above-ground carbon stocks. Communities with fast leaf economics had higher rates of photosynthesis and soil respiration, but lower above-ground biomass.Diversities on axes of size and leaf economics affected ecosystem functions differently. Leaf economic diversity increased CO2 fluxes and soil organic carbon stocks, while size diversity increased the above-ground carbon stock. The contributions of functional diversity metrics to ecosystem functioning were about as important as average leaf economic traits.Simulations suggested that warmer summer air temperatures increase plant size, while warmer winter soil temperatures increase plant size and accelerate leaf economics. All these changes would enhance CO2 uptake during peak growing season.Synthesis: We show how traits mediate the link between abiotic conditions and carbon cycling. Community composition and diversity on the two axes of the global spectrum of plant form and function have clear and separate effects on ecosystem functioning. Warmer temperatures increase plant size and accelerate leaf economics, which leads to faster net assimilation of carbon during peak growing season. More research on soil carbon stocks is needed.

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