AI Article Synopsis
- * The study finds that the number of fungi is not directly linked to plant diversity, and as you move toward the poles, the ratio of plant to fungus diversity decreases significantly.
- * Climate is the top factor influencing fungal diversity, alongside soil and location variables; fungi also exhibit latitudinal diversity patterns similar to other organisms but with some exceptions, enhancing the global understanding of fungal ecology.
Article Abstract
Fungi play major roles in ecosystem processes, but the determinants of fungal diversity and biogeographic patterns remain poorly understood. Using DNA metabarcoding data from hundreds of globally distributed soil samples, we demonstrate that fungal richness is decoupled from plant diversity. The plant-to-fungus richness ratio declines exponentially toward the poles. Climatic factors, followed by edaphic and spatial variables, constitute the best predictors of fungal richness and community composition at the global scale. Fungi show similar latitudinal diversity gradients to other organisms, with several notable exceptions. These findings advance our understanding of global fungal diversity patterns and permit integration of fungi into a general macroecological framework.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1256688 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!