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

Summary

Different types of ectomycorrhizal fungi have evolved distinct strategies for acquiring nutrients from soil and transferring them to trees. The study proposes that these fungi can be arranged on a spectrum from ‘absorbers’ that quickly grab available nutrients in fertile forests to ‘miners’ that slowly exploit tough organic matter in poor forests. This framework explains why the same fungus behaves differently depending on soil fertility and unifies seemingly contradictory observations about fungal responses to nutrient additions.

Background

Trait spectra have been used in ecology to explain species distributions, but a unifying trait spectrum for ectomycorrhizal fungi that connects multiple co-varying traits remains to be established. This work proposes a comprehensive framework linking nitrogen acquisition and carbon use traits in ectomycorrhizal fungi in nitrogen-limited forests.

Objective

To propose and test a nitrogen acquisition and carbon use trait spectrum for ectomycorrhizal fungi that encompasses morphological, physiological, and metabolic traits. The spectrum aims to explain species distributions from ‘absorbers’ in productive forests to ‘miners’ in nitrogen-limited forests.

Results

The analysis demonstrates that apparent CUE during active growth periods can explain how ectomycorrhizal fungi trade off carbon investment with nitrogen delivery to hosts. The model shows that low CUE and high mortality enable greater nitrogen delivery despite lower mycelial biomass accumulation.

Conclusion

Ectomycorrhizal fungi can be organized along a continuous spectrum from ‘absorbers’ with high apparent CUE in nitrogen-rich forests to ‘miners’ with low apparent CUE in nitrogen-limited forests. This framework unifies existing categorical classifications and provides testable predictions for ecosystem function.
  • Published in:New Phytologist,
  • Study Type:Theoretical Framework and Viewpoint,
  • Source: 10.1111/nph.70129, PMID: 40186423
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