Mycorrhizal Distributions Impact Global Patterns of Carbon and Nutrient Cycling

Most tree species predominantly associate with a single type of mycorrhizal fungi, which can differentially affect plant nutrient acquisition and biogeochemical cycling. Uncertainties in distributions are non-trivial, current estimates disagree up to 50% over 40% the land area, including tropical forests. Remote sensing capabilities for detection show promise refining these further. Here, we address first time impact on global carbon Using state-of-the-art carbon-nitrogen economics within Community Land Model version 5, found Net Primary Productivity (NPP) increased throughout 21st century by 20%; however, as soil nitrogen has progressively become limiting, costs NPP acquisition—that is, mycorrhizae—have at faster rate 60%. This suggests that will increasingly demand higher portion assimilated support same productivity.