Land-use changes alter the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community composition and assembly in the ancient tea forest reserve

Understanding the effects of land-use changes on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) communities may greatly benefit ecosystem conservation and restoration. However, how AMF respond to anthropogenetic change (e.g., from natural ecosystems farmland ecosystems) is still under debate. To enhance preservation vegetation diversity in ancient tea forest (ATF) regions understand influence community acidic soils, composition assembly processes ATF region (soil pH: 3.5–4.2) were investigated. Our results showed that α-diversity indices significantly higher than those conventional plantations (CTP) Forest. Moreover, number indicator species (as virtual taxa, VTX) a remarkable decrease when (12 VTXs) changed Forest (8 CTP (3 VTXs). In addition, neutral dominated assembly, Acaulospora was dominant genus ATF. eliminated process by enhancing environmental filtering effects. The concentrations soil nitrate, TK, Mg 2+ , Cu important factors accounting for change. we found high acidity soils exert an ecological selection community, as only adapt strongly persisted. Overall, our indicated mitigating acidification has potential method improving conserving restoring southwest China. • Land-use enhanced filter effect. Neutral assembly. diminished because strong filter. Human disturbance decreased diversity. spp. are more adaptable highly soils.