Responses of belowground multitrophic interactions under warming climate conditions.

Belowground interactions among plants and soil organisms are complex. Plant roots form associations with mutualists, including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), while also interacting fauna that may feed on plant fungal hyphae. Each of these is likely to be affected by a warming climate, community-level responses not always evident. We investigated the growth perennial C4 grass Panicum virgatum generalist AMF mutualist Rhizophagus intraradices increased air temperature addition herbivorous nematodes (Pratylenchus penetrans). conducted 2x2 factorial experiment, where we manipulated (ambient vs. warm) nematode (presence absence). While neither nor had any effect aboveground biomass, warmer temperatures reduced belowground biomass 48.5%, 40.9%. Nematode length extraradical hyphae (ERH) in 65.8%, no ERH length. Levels colonization differed significantly based interaction temperature. Under ambient conditions, root levels 38.1%. However, under resulted 25.9%, indicating potential greater reliance its mutualist. Overall, results suggest complex multitrophic temperatures. Given cellulosic bioenergy crop, our highlight effects carbon storage.