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Voller F, Ardanuy A, Taylor AFS, Johnson D. Maintenance of host specialisation gradients in ectomycorrhizal symbionts. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 242:1426-1435. [PMID: 37984824 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Many fungi that form ectomycorrhizas exhibit a degree of host specialisation, and individual trees are frequently colonised by communities of mycorrhizal fungi comprising species that fall on a gradient of specialisation along genetic, functional and taxonomic axes of variation. By contrast, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi exhibit little specialisation. Here, we propose that host tree root morphology is a key factor that gives host plants fine-scale control over colonisation and therefore opportunities for driving specialisation and speciation of ectomycorrhizal fungi. A gradient in host specialisation is likely driven by four proximate mechanistic 'filters' comprising partner availability, signalling recognition, competition for colonisation, and symbiotic function (trade, rewards and sanctions), and the spatially restricted colonisation seen in heterorhizic roots enables these mechanisms, especially symbiotic function, to be more effective in driving the evolution of specialisation. We encourage manipulation experiments that integrate molecular genetics and isotope tracers to test these mechanisms, alongside mathematical simulations of eco-evolutionary dynamics in mycorrhizal symbioses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fay Voller
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Dover Street, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Agnès Ardanuy
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Dover Street, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
- Université de Toulouse, INRAE, UMR DYNAFOR, Castanet-Tolosan, 31320, France
| | - Andy F S Taylor
- Ecological Sciences Group, James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, UK
| | - David Johnson
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Dover Street, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
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Luo W, Wang Y, Cahill JF, Luan F, Zhong Y, Li Y, Li B, Chu C. Root-centric β diversity reveals functional homogeneity while phylogenetic heterogeneity in a subtropical forest. Ecology 2024; 105:e4189. [PMID: 37877169 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Root-centric studies have revealed fast taxonomic turnover across root neighborhoods, but how such turnover is accompanied by changes in species functions and phylogeny (i.e., β diversity) remains largely unknown. As β diversity can reflect the degree of community-wide biotic homogenization, such information is crucial for better inference of below-ground assembly rules, community structuring, and ecosystem processes. We collected 2480 root segments from 625 0-30 cm soil profiles in a subtropical forest in China. Root segments were identified into 138 species with DNA-barcoding with six root morphological and architectural traits measured per species. By using the mean pairwise (Dpw ) and mean nearest neighbor distance (Dnn ) to quantify species ecological differences, we first tested the non-random functional and phylogenetic turnover of root neighborhoods that would lend more support to deterministic over stochastic community assembly processes. Additionally, we examined the distance-decay pattern of β diversity, and finally partitioned β diversity into geographical and environmental components to infer their potential drivers of environmental filtering, dispersal limitation, and biotic interactions. We found that functional turnover was often lower than expected given the taxonomic turnover, whereas phylogenetic turnover was often higher than expected. Phylogenetic Dpw (e.g., interfamily species) turnover exhibited a distance-decay pattern, likely reflecting limited dispersal or abiotic filtering that leads to the spatial aggregation of specific plant lineages. Conversely, both functional and phylogenetic Dnn (e.g., intrageneric species) exhibited an inverted distance-decay pattern, likely reflecting strong biotic interactions among spatially and phylogenetically close species leading to phylogenetic and functional divergence. While the spatial distance was generally a better predictor of β diversity than environmental distance, the joint effect of environmental and spatial distance usually overrode their respective pure effects. These findings suggest that root neighborhood functional homogeneity may somewhat increase forest resilience after disturbance by exhibiting an insurance effect. Likewise, root neighborhood phylogenetic heterogeneity may enhance plant fitness by hindering the transmission of host-specific pathogens through root networks or by promoting interspecific niche complementarity not captured by species functions. Our study highlights the potential role of root-centric β diversity in mediating community structures and functions largely ignored in previous studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqi Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Youshi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - James F Cahill
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Fucheng Luan
- Guangdong Chebaling National Nature Reserve, Shaoguan, China
| | - Yonglin Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanzhi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Buhang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chengjin Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Jin MY, Johnson DJ, Jin GZ, Guo QX, Liu ZL. Soil water content and nitrogen differentially correlate with multidimensional leaf traits of two temperate broadleaf species. PLANT DIVERSITY 2023; 45:694-701. [PMID: 38197009 PMCID: PMC10772124 DOI: 10.1016/j.pld.2023.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
The variation and correlation of leaf economics and vein traits are crucial for predicting plant ecological strategies under different environmental changes. However, correlations between these two suites of traits and abiotic factors such as soil water and nitrogen content remain ambiguous. We measured leaf economics and vein traits as well as soil water and nitrogen content for two different shade-tolerant species (Betula platyphylla and Acer mono) in four mixed broadleaved-Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) forests along a latitudinal gradient in Northeast China. We found that leaf economics traits and vein traits were decoupled in shade-intolerant species, Betula platphylla, but significantly coupled in a shade-tolerant species, A. mono. We found stronger correlations among leaf traits in the shade tolerant species than in the shade intolerant species. Furthermore, leaf economic traits were positively correlated with the soil water gradient for both species, whereas vein traits were positively correlated with soil water gradient for the shade intolerant species but negatively correlated in the shade tolerant species. Although economic traits were positively correlated with soil nitrogen gradient in shade intolerant species but not correlated in shade tolerant species, vein traits were negatively correlated with soil nitrogen gradient in shade tolerant species but not correlated in shade intolerant species. Our study provides evidence for distinct correlations between leaf economics and vein traits and local abiotic factors of species differing in light demands. We recommend that the ecological significance of shade tolerance be considered for species when evaluating ecosystem functions and predicting plant responses to environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Yue Jin
- Center for Ecological Research, Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest, Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Asia Biodiversity Research Center, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Daniel J. Johnson
- School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Guang-Ze Jin
- Center for Ecological Research, Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest, Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Asia Biodiversity Research Center, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Qing-Xi Guo
- Center for Ecological Research, Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest, Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Asia Biodiversity Research Center, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Zhi-Li Liu
- Center for Ecological Research, Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest, Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Asia Biodiversity Research Center, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang, China
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Li Y, Xie Y, Liu Z, Shi L, Liu X, Liang M, Yu S. Plant species identity and mycorrhizal type explain the root-associated fungal pathogen community assembly of seedlings based on functional traits in a subtropical forest. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1251934. [PMID: 37965023 PMCID: PMC10641815 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1251934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Introduction As a crucial factor in determining ecosystem functioning, interaction between plants and soil-borne fungal pathogens deserves considerable attention. However, little attention has been paid into the determinants of root-associated fungal pathogens in subtropical seedlings, especially the influence of different mycorrhizal plants. Methods Using high-throughput sequencing techniques, we analyzed the root-associated fungal pathogen community for 19 subtropical forest species, including 10 ectomycorrhizal plants and 9 arbuscular mycorrhizal plants. We identified the roles of different factors in determining the root-associated fungal pathogen community. Further, we identified the community assembly process at species and mycorrhizal level and managed to reveal the drivers underlying the community assembly. Results We found that plant species identity, plant habitat, and plant mycorrhizal type accounted for the variations in fungal pathogen community composition, with species identity and mycorrhizal type showing dominant effects. The relative importance of different community assembly processes, mainly, homogeneous selection and drift, varied with plant species identity. Interestingly, functional traits associated with acquisitive resource-use strategy tended to promote the relative importance of homogeneous selection, while traits associated with conservative resource-use strategy showed converse effect. Drift showed the opposite relationships with functional traits compared with homogeneous selection. Notably, the relative importance of different community assembly processes was not structured by plant phylogeny. Drift was stronger in the pathogen community for ectomycorrhizal plants with more conservative traits, suggesting the predominant role of stochastic gain and loss in the community assembly. Discussion Our work demonstrates the determinants of root-associated fungal pathogens, addressing the important roles of plant species identity and plant mycorrhizal type. Furthermore, we explored the community assembly mechanisms of root-associated pathogens and stressed the determinant roles of functional traits, especially leaf phosphorus content (LP), root nitrogen content (RN) and root tissue density (RTD), at species and mycorrhizal type levels, offering new perspectives on the microbial dynamics underlying ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Shixiao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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5
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You C, Li J, Yang K, Tan B, Yin R, Li H, Zhang L, Cui X, Liu S, Wang L, Liu Y, Chen L, Yuan Y, Li J, Sardans J, Zhang J, Xu Z, Peñuelas J. Variations and patterns of C and N stoichiometry in the first five root branch orders across 218 woody plant species. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 238:1838-1848. [PMID: 36891665 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite the vital role in carbon (C) sequestration and nutrient retention, variations and patterns in root C and nitrogen (N) stoichiometry of the first five root orders across woody plant species remains unclear. We compiled a dataset to explore variations and patterns of root C and N stoichiometry in the first five orders of 218 woody plant species. Across the five orders, root N concentrations were greater in deciduous, broadleaf, and arbuscular mycorrhizal species than in evergreen, coniferous species, and ectomycorrhizal association species, respectively. Contrasting trends were found for root C : N ratios. Most root branch orders showed clear latitudinal and altitudinal trends in root C and N stoichiometry. There were opposite patterns in N concentrations between latitude and altitude. Such variations were mainly driven by plant species, and climatic factors together. Our results indicate divergent C and N use strategies among plant types and convergence and divergence in the patterns of C and N stoichiometry between latitude and altitude across the first five root orders. These findings provide important data on the root economics spectrum and biogeochemical models to improve understanding and prediction of climate change effects on C and nutrient dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengming You
- Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Institute of Ecology and Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Jihong Li
- Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Institute of Ecology and Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Kaijun Yang
- Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Institute of Ecology and Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
- Global Ecology Unit CREAF-CSIC-UAB, CSIC, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Bo Tan
- Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Institute of Ecology and Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Rui Yin
- Department of Community Ecology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Theodor-Lieser-Strasse 4, 06110, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Han Li
- Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Institute of Ecology and Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Institute of Ecology and Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Xinglei Cui
- Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Institute of Ecology and Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Sining Liu
- Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Institute of Ecology and Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Lixia Wang
- Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Institute of Ecology and Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Institute of Ecology and Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Lianghua Chen
- Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Institute of Ecology and Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Yaling Yuan
- Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Institute of Ecology and Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Jiao Li
- Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Institute of Ecology and Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Jordi Sardans
- Global Ecology Unit CREAF-CSIC-UAB, CSIC, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jian Zhang
- Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Institute of Ecology and Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Zhenfeng Xu
- Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Institute of Ecology and Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Josep Peñuelas
- Global Ecology Unit CREAF-CSIC-UAB, CSIC, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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Arbuscular mycorrhizae: natural modulators of plant–nutrient relation and growth in stressful environments. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:264. [DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-02882-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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An N, Lu N, Fu B, Chen W, Keyimu M, Wang M. Evidence of Differences in Covariation Among Root Traits Across Plant Growth Forms, Mycorrhizal Types, and Biomes. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 12:785589. [PMID: 35154176 PMCID: PMC8836870 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.785589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Fine roots play an important role in plant ecological strategies, adaptation to environmental constraints, and ecosystem functions. Covariation among root traits influence the physiological and ecological processes of plants and ecosystems. Root trait covariation in multiple dimensions at the global scale has been broadly discussed. How fine-root traits covary at the regional scale and whether the covariation is generalizable across plant growth forms, mycorrhizal types, and biomes are largely unknown. Here, we collected six key traits - namely root diameter (RD), specific root length (SRL), root tissue density (RTD), root C content (RCC), root N content (RNC), and root C:N ratio (RCN) - of first- and second-order roots of 306 species from 94 sampling sites across China. We examined the covariation in root traits among different plant growth forms, mycorrhizal types, and biomes using the phylogenetic principal component analysis (pPCA). Three independent dimensions of the covariation in root traits were identified, accounting for 39.0, 26.1, and 20.2% of the total variation, respectively. The first dimension was represented by SRL, RNC, RTD, and RCN, which was in line with the root economics spectrum (RES). The second dimension described a negative relationship between RD and SRL, and the third dimension was represented by RCC. These three main principal components were mainly influenced by biome and mycorrhizal type. Herbaceous and ectomycorrhizal species showed a more consistent pattern with the RES, in which RD, RTD, and RCN were negatively correlated with SRL and RNC within the first axis compared with woody and arbuscular mycorrhizal species, respectively. Our results highlight the roles of plant growth form, mycorrhizal type, and biome in shaping root trait covariation, suggesting that root trait relationships in specific regions may not be generalized from global-scale analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan An
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bojie Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Weiliang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
| | - Maierdang Keyimu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
| | - Mengyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Luo W, Ni M, Wang Y, Lan R, Eissenstat DM, Cahill JF, Li B, Chu C. Limited evidence of vertical fine-root segregation in a subtropical forest. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 231:2308-2318. [PMID: 34110016 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Vertical root segregation and the resulting niche partitioning can be a key underpinning of species coexistence. This could result from substantial interspecific variations in root profiles and rooting plasticity in response to soil heterogeneity and neighbours, but they remain largely untested in forest communities. In a diverse forest in subtropical China, we randomly sampled > 4000 root samples from 625 0-30 cm soil profiles. Using morphological and DNA-based methods, we identified 109 woody plant species, determined the degree of vertical fine-root segregation, and examined rooting plasticity in response to soil heterogeneity and neighbour structure. We found no evidence of vertical fine-root segregation among cooccurring species. By contrast, root abundance of different species tended to be positively correlated within soil zones. Underlying these findings was a lack of interspecific variation in fine-root profiles with over 90% of species concentrated in the 0-10 cm soil zone with only one species dominating in the 10-20 cm soil zone. Root profiles exhibited low responsiveness to root neighbours but tended to be shallow in soils with low phosphorus and copper content. These findings suggest that if there is niche differentiation leading to coexistence in this diverse forest, it would be occurring by mechanisms other than vertical fine-root segregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqi Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences and School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Ming Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences and School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
- Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Youshi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences and School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Runxuan Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences and School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - David M Eissenstat
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - James F Cahill
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Buhang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences and School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Chengjin Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences and School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
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9
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Endo I, Kobatake M, Tanikawa N, Nakaji T, Ohashi M, Makita N. Anatomical patterns of condensed tannin in fine roots of tree species from a cool-temperate forest. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2021; 128:59-71. [PMID: 33608716 PMCID: PMC8318258 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcab022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Condensed tannin (CT) is an important compound in plant biological structural defence and for tolerance of herbivory and environmental stress. However, little is known of the role and location of CT within the fine roots of woody plants. To understand the role of CT in fine roots across diverse species of woody dicot, we evaluated the localization of CT that accumulated in root tissue, and examined its relationships with the stele and cortex tissue in cross-sections of roots in 20 tree species forming different microbial symbiotic groups (ectomycorrhiza and arbuscular mycorrhiza). METHODS In a cool-temperate forest in Japan, cross-sections of sampled roots in different branching order classes, namely, first order, second to third order, fourth order, and higher than fourth order (higher order), were measured in terms of the length-based ratios of stele diameter and cortex thickness to root diameter. All root samples were then stained with ρ-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde solution and we determined the ratio of localized CT accumulation area to the root cross-section area (CT ratio). KEY RESULTS Stele ratio tended to increase with increasing root order, whereas cortex ratio either remained unchanged or decreased with increasing order in all species. The CT ratio was significantly positively correlated to the stele ratio and negatively correlated to the cortex ratio in second- to fourth-order roots across species during the shift from primary to secondary root growth. Ectomycorrhiza-associated species mostly had a higher stele ratio and lower cortex ratio than arbuscular mycorrhiza-associated species across root orders. Compared with arbuscular mycorrhiza species, there was greater accumulation of CT in response to changes in the root order of ectomycorrhiza species. CONCLUSIONS Different development patterns of the stele, cortex and CT accumulation along the transition from root tip to secondary roots could be distinguished between different mycorrhizal associations. The CT in tissues in different mycorrhizal associations could help with root protection in specific branching orders during shifts in stele and cortex development before and during cork layer formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izuki Endo
- School of Human Science and Environment, University of Hyogo, Himeji, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Miwa Kobatake
- Faculty of Science, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan
| | - Natsuko Tanikawa
- Faculty of Science, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan
| | - Tatsuro Nakaji
- Uryu Experimental Forest, Hokkaido University, Moshiri, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Mizue Ohashi
- School of Human Science and Environment, University of Hyogo, Himeji, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Naoki Makita
- Faculty of Science, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan
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Using the right tool for the job: the difference between unsupervised and supervised analyses of multivariate ecological data. Oecologia 2021; 196:13-25. [PMID: 33580398 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-020-04848-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Ecologists often collect data with the aim of determining which of many variables are associated with a particular cause or consequence. Unsupervised analyses (e.g. principal components analysis, PCA) summarize variation in the data, without regard to the response. Supervised analyses (e.g., partial least squares, PLS) evaluate the variables to find the combination that best explain a causal relationship. These approaches are not interchangeable, especially when the variables most responsible for a causal relationship are not the greatest source of overall variation in the data-a situation that ecologists are likely to encounter. To illustrate the differences between unsupervised and supervised techniques, we analyze a published dataset using both PCA and PLS and compare the questions and answers associated with each method. We also use simulated datasets representing situations that further illustrate differences between unsupervised and supervised analyses. For simulated data with many correlated variables that were unrelated to the response, PLS was better than PCA at identifying which variables were associated with the response. There are many applications for both unsupervised and supervised approaches in ecology. However, PCA is currently overused, at least in part because supervised approaches, such as PLS, are less familiar.
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Luo W, Lan R, Chen D, Zhang B, Xi N, Li Y, Fang S, Valverde-Barrantes OJ, Eissenstat DM, Chu C, Wang Y. Limiting similarity shapes the functional and phylogenetic structure of root neighborhoods in a subtropical forest. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 229:1078-1090. [PMID: 32924174 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Environmental filtering and limiting similarity mechanisms can simultaneously structure community assemblages. However, how they shape the functional and phylogenetic structure of root neighborhoods remains unclear, hindering the understanding of belowground community assembly processes and diversity maintenance. In a 50-ha plot in a subtropical forest, China, we randomly sampled > 2700 root clusters from 625 soil samples. Focusing on 10 root functional traits measured on 76 woody species, we examined the functional and phylogenetic structure of root neighborhoods and linked their distributions with environmental cues. Functional overdispersion was pervasive among individual root traits (50% of the traits) and accentuated when different traits were combined. Functional clustering (20% of the traits) seemed to be associated with a soil nutrient gradient with thick roots dominating fertile areas whereas thin roots dominated infertile soils. Nevertheless, such traits also were sorted along other environmental cues, showing multidimensional adaptive trait syndromes. Species relatedness also was an important factor defining root neighborhoods, resulting in significant phylogenetic overdispersion. These results suggest that limiting similarity may drive niche differentiation of coexisting species to reduce competition, and that alternative root strategies could be crucial in promoting root neighborhood resource use and species coexistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqi Luo
- Department of Ecology, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Runxuan Lan
- Department of Ecology, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Dongxia Chen
- Department of Ecology, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Bingwei Zhang
- Department of Ecology, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Nianxun Xi
- Department of Ecology, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Yuanzhi Li
- Department of Ecology, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Suqing Fang
- Department of Ecology, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Oscar J Valverde-Barrantes
- International Center for Tropical Biodiversity, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - David M Eissenstat
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Chengjin Chu
- Department of Ecology, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Youshi Wang
- Department of Ecology, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
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12
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Jiang L, Wang H, Li S, Fu X, Dai X, Yan H, Kou L. Mycorrhizal and environmental controls over root trait-decomposition linkage of woody trees. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 229:284-295. [PMID: 32761622 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Traits are critical in predicting decomposition that fuels carbon and nutrient cycling in ecosystems. However, our understanding of root trait-decomposition linkage, and especially its dependence on mycorrhizal type and environmental context, remains limited. We explored the control of morphological and chemical (carbon- and nutrient-related) traits over decomposition of absorptive roots in 30 tree species associated with either arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) or ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi in temperate and subtropical forests in China. Carbon-related traits (acid-unhydrolysable residue (AUR) and cellulose concentrations) had predominant control of root decomposition in AM species while nutrient-related traits (magnesium concentration) predominately controlled that in ECM species. Thicker absorptive roots decomposed faster in AM species as a result of their lower AUR concentrations, but more slowly in ECM angiosperm species potentially as a result of their higher magnesium concentrations. Root decomposition was linked to root nutrient economy in both forests while root diameter-decomposition coordination emerged only in the subtropical forest where root diameter and decomposition presented similar cross-species variations. Our findings suggest that root trait-decomposition linkages differ strongly with mycorrhizal type and environment, and that root diameter can predict decomposition but in opposing directions and with contrasting mechanisms for AM and ECM species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Jiang
- Qianyanzhou Ecological Research Station, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Huimin Wang
- Qianyanzhou Ecological Research Station, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shenggong Li
- Qianyanzhou Ecological Research Station, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaoli Fu
- Qianyanzhou Ecological Research Station, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaoqin Dai
- Qianyanzhou Ecological Research Station, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Han Yan
- Qianyanzhou Ecological Research Station, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Liang Kou
- Qianyanzhou Ecological Research Station, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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13
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Valverde-Barrantes OJ, Maherali H, Baraloto C, Blackwood CB. Independent evolutionary changes in fine-root traits among main clades during the diversification of seed plants. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 228:541-553. [PMID: 32535912 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Changes in fine-root morphology are typically associated with transitions from the ancestral arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) to the alternative ectomycorrhizal (ECM) or nonmycorrhizal (NM) associations. However, the modifications in root morphology may also coincide with new modifications in leaf hydraulics and growth habit during angiosperm diversification. These hypotheses have not been evaluated concurrently, and this limits our understanding of the causes of fine-root evolution. To explore the evolution of fine-root systems, we assembled a 600+ species database to reconstruct historical changes in seed plants over time. We utilise ancestral reconstruction approaches together with phylogenetically informed comparative analyses to test whether changes in fine-root traits were most strongly associated with mycorrhizal affiliation, leaf hydraulics or growth form. Our findings showed significant shifts in root diameter, specific root length and root tissue density as angiosperms diversified, largely independent from leaf changes or mycorrhizal affiliation. Growth form was the only factor associated with fine-root traits in statistical models including mycorrhizal association and leaf venation, suggesting substantial modifications in fine-root morphology during transitions from woody to nonwoody habits. Divergences in fine-root systems were crucial in the evolution of seed plant lineages, with important implications for ecological processes in terrestrial ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar J Valverde-Barrantes
- International Center for Tropical Biodiversity, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Hafiz Maherali
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Christopher Baraloto
- International Center for Tropical Biodiversity, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
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14
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Akatsuki M, Makita N. Influence of fine root traits on in situ exudation rates in four conifers from different mycorrhizal associations. TREE PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 40:1071-1079. [PMID: 32333786 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpaa051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Plant roots can exude organic compounds into the soil that are useful for plant survival because they can degrade microorganisms around the roots and enhance allelopathy against other plant invasions. We developed a method to collect carbon (C) exudation on a small scale from tree fine roots by C-free filter traps. We quantified total C through root exudation in four conifers from different microbial symbiotic groups (ectomycorrhiza (ECM) and arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM)) in a cool-temperate forest in Japan. We determined the relationship of mass-based exudation rate from three diameter classes (<0.5, 0.5-1.0, and 1.0-2.5 mm) of the intact root system with root traits such as morphological traits including root diameter, specific root length (SRL), specific root area (SRA), root tissue density (RTD) and chemical traits including root nitrogen (N) content and C/N. Across species, the mass-based root exudation rate was found to correlate with diameter, SRA, RTD, N and C/N. When comparing mycorrhizal types, there were significant relationships between the exudation and diameter, SRL, SRA, root N and C/N in ECM species; however, these were not significant in AM species. Our results show that relationships between in situ root exudation and every measured trait of morphology and chemistry were strongly driven by ECM roots and not by AM roots. These differences might explain the fact that ECM roots in this study potentially covaried by optimizing the exudation and root morphology in forest trees, while exudation in AM roots did not change with changes in root morphology. In addition, the contrasting results may be attributable to the effect of degree and position of ECM and AM colonization in fine root system. Differences in fine root exudation relationships to root morphology for the two types of mycorrhizae will help us better understand the underlying mechanisms of belowground C allocation in forest ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiko Akatsuki
- Faculty of Science, Shinshu University, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan
| | - Naoki Makita
- Faculty of Science, Shinshu University, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan
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15
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Bai Z, Yuan ZQ, Wang DM, Fang S, Ye J, Wang XG, Yuan HS. Ectomycorrhizal fungus-associated determinants jointly reflect ecological processes in a temperature broad-leaved mixed forest. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 703:135475. [PMID: 31767296 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi are closely related to vegetation compositions, edaphic properties, and site-specific processes. However, the coevolutionary mechanisms underlying the spatial distributions in floristic and ECM fungal composition in the context of biotic adaptations and abiotic variances remain unclear. We combine a total of 25 ECM fungus-associated environmental variables to impose three types of composite scores and then quantify the environmental gradients of geographical site, soil chemical property and vegetation functional trait across 122 grids of 20 m × 20 m in a 25-hm2 forest plot. Significant dissimilarities in vegetational and ECM fungal abundance and composition existed along the above environmental gradients. Specifically, a contrasting floristic distribution (e.g., Betula platyphylla vs. Tilia mandshurica) existed between the northeastern and southwestern areas and was closely related to the nutrient and moisture gradients (with high levels in the west and low levels in the east). Furthermore, the ECM fungal communities were more abundant in the nutrient-poor and low-moisture environments than in the nutrient-rich and high-moisture environments, and the mixed-forest in the middle-gradient sites between the northeastern and southwestern areas harbored the highest ECM fungal diversity. These findings suggest that predictable within-site vegetation succession is closely related to ECM-associated determinants and the natural spatial heterogeneity of edaphic properties at a local scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Bai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Management, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110164, PR China
| | - Zuo-Qiang Yuan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Management, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110164, PR China
| | - Dong-Mei Wang
- School of pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 72 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Shuai Fang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Management, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110164, PR China
| | - Ji Ye
- CAS Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Management, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110164, PR China
| | - Xu-Gao Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Management, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110164, PR China.
| | - Hai-Sheng Yuan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Management, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110164, PR China.
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16
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Higher Soil Respiration Rate Beneath Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Trees in a Northern Hardwood Forest is Driven by Associated Soil Properties. Ecosystems 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-019-00466-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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17
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Tedersoo L, Bahram M. Mycorrhizal types differ in ecophysiology and alter plant nutrition and soil processes. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2019; 94:1857-1880. [PMID: 31270944 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Mycorrhizal fungi benefit plants by improved mineral nutrition and protection against stress, yet information about fundamental differences among mycorrhizal types in fungi and trees and their relative importance in biogeochemical processes is only beginning to accumulate. We critically review and synthesize the ecophysiological differences in ectomycorrhizal, ericoid mycorrhizal and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses and the effect of these mycorrhizal types on soil processes from local to global scales. We demonstrate that guilds of mycorrhizal fungi display substantial differences in genome-encoded capacity for mineral nutrition, particularly acquisition of nitrogen and phosphorus from organic material. Mycorrhizal associations alter the trade-off between allocation to roots or mycelium, ecophysiological traits such as root exudation, weathering, enzyme production, plant protection, and community assembly as well as response to climate change. Mycorrhizal types exhibit differential effects on ecosystem carbon and nutrient cycling that affect global elemental fluxes and may mediate biome shifts in response to global change. We also note that most studies performed to date have not been properly replicated and collectively suffer from strong geographical sampling bias towards temperate biomes. We advocate that combining carefully replicated field experiments and controlled laboratory experiments with isotope labelling and -omics techniques offers great promise towards understanding differences in ecophysiology and ecosystem services among mycorrhizal types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leho Tedersoo
- Natural History Museum, University of Tartu, 14a Ravila, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.,Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, 14a Ravila, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mohammad Bahram
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, 14a Ravila, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Ulls väg 16, 756 51 Uppsala, Sweden
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18
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Kong D, Wang J, Wu H, Valverde-Barrantes OJ, Wang R, Zeng H, Kardol P, Zhang H, Feng Y. Nonlinearity of root trait relationships and the root economics spectrum. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2203. [PMID: 31101818 PMCID: PMC6525182 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10245-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The root economics spectrum (RES), a common hypothesis postulating a tradeoff between resource acquisition and conservation traits, is being challenged by conflicting relationships between root diameter, tissue density (RTD) and root nitrogen concentration (RN). Here, we analyze a global trait dataset of absorptive roots for over 800 plant species. For woody species (but not for non-woody species), we find nonlinear relationships between root diameter and RTD and RN, which stem from the allometric relationship between stele and cortical tissues. These nonlinear relationships explain how sampling bias from different ends of the nonlinear curves can result in conflicting trait relationships. Further, the shape of the relationships varies depending on evolutionary context and mycorrhizal affiliation. Importantly, the observed nonlinear trait relationships do not support the RES predictions. Allometry-based nonlinearity of root trait relationships improves our understanding of the ecology, physiology and evolution of absorptive roots. Kong et al. use a global trait dataset of 800 plant species to examine the root economics spectrum in relation to root diameter, tissue density and root nitrogen concentration. Nonlinear trait relationships were observed, suggesting allometry-based nonlinearity in root trait relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deliang Kong
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Change, Shenyang Agricultural University, 110866, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
| | - Junjian Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, Southern University of Science and Technology, 518055, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Huifang Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, 475004, Kaifeng, China
| | | | - Ruili Wang
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, China
| | - Hui Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Urban Habitat Environmental Science and Technology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, 518005, Shenzhen, China
| | - Paul Kardol
- Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90183, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Haiyan Zhang
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Change, Shenyang Agricultural University, 110866, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yulong Feng
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Change, Shenyang Agricultural University, 110866, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
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