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A trait spectrum linking nitrogen acquisition and carbon use of ectomycorrhizal fungi

Summary

Forest mushroom fungi form partnerships with tree roots to help them get nutrients from soil. This research proposes that these fungi fall into two main types along a spectrum: ‘absorbers’ that quickly build large fungal networks to capture easily available nitrogen, and ‘miners’ that slowly grow elaborate cord systems to break down difficult organic matter and extract nitrogen. The study uses math models to show how different fungal strategies affect both how much carbon the trees provide and how much nitrogen returns to the trees.

Background

Trait spectra have been successfully used in plant and animal ecology to explain species distributions and predict ecosystem functions. However, a unifying trait spectrum for ectomycorrhizal fungi that explains how co-varying morphological, physiological, and metabolic traits relate to their ecological strategies remains to be established and tested.

Objective

To propose and describe a nitrogen acquisition and carbon use trait spectrum for ectomycorrhizal fungi in nitrogen-limited forests, linking this spectrum to apparent carbon use efficiency and explaining how different fungal strategies affect nitrogen transfer to host plants.

Results

The model demonstrates that nitrogen delivery to hosts decreases with increasing carbon use efficiency and mycelial nitrogen content, but increases with higher mycelial mortality. The framework proposes ectomycorrhizal fungi distribute along a spectrum from ‘absorbers’ (high apparent CUE, high soluble nitrogen acquisition) to ‘miners’ (low apparent CUE, organic matter exploitation).

Conclusion

The proposed trait spectrum unifies previously inconsistent categorical classifications and provides a framework predicting ectomycorrhizal fungal distributions across forests with varying nitrogen availability. Empirical validation through measurements of carbon use efficiency, nitrogen delivery, and mycelial turnover is needed to test this spectrum.
  • Published in:New Phytologist,
  • Study Type:Viewpoint/Conceptual Framework,
  • Source: PMID: 40186423, DOI: 10.1111/nph.70129
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