Molecular Diversity of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi in Relation to the Diversity of Neighboring Plant Species

Abstract

(1) Background: Plant diversity has long been assumed to predict soil microbial diversity. The mutualistic symbiosis between forest trees and ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi favors strong correlations of EM fungal diversity with host density in terrestrial ecosystems. Nevertheless, in contrast with host tree effects, neighboring plant effects are less well studied. (2) Methods: In the study presented herein, we examined the α-diversity, community composition, and co-occurrence patterns of EM fungi in Quercus acutissima across different forest types (pure forests, mixed forests with Pinus tabuliformis, and mixed forests with other broadleaved species) to ascertain how the EM fungi of focal trees are related to their neighboring plants and to identify the underlying mechanisms that contribute to this relationship. (3) Results: The EM fungal community exhibited an overall modest but positive correlation with neighboring plant richness, with the associations being more pronounced in mixed forests. This neighboring effect was mediated by altered abiotic (i.e., SOC, TN, LC, and LP) and biotic (i.e., bacterial community) factors in rhizosphere soil. Further analysis revealed that Tomentella_badia, Tomentella_galzinii, and Sebacina_incrustans exhibited the most significant correlations with plant and EM fungal diversity. These keystone taxa featured low relative abundance and clear habitat preferences and shared similar physiological traits that promote nutrient uptake through contact, short-distance and medium-distance smooth contact-based exploration types, thereby enhancing the potential correlations between EM fungi and the neighboring plant community. (4) Conclusions: Our findings contribute to the comprehension of the effect of neighboring plants on the EM fungal community of focal trees of different forest communities and the biodiversity sensitivity to environmental change.