The structure and ecological function of the interactions between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi through multilayer networks

Arbuscular mycorrhizas are one of the most frequent mutualisms in terrestrial ecosystems. Although studies on plant mutualistic interaction networks suggest that they may leave their imprint community structure and dynamics, this has not been explicitly assessed. Thus, context plant-fungi interactions, linking plant-mycorrhizal fungi with key ecological functions communities, such as recruitment, lacking. In study, we analyse, two Mediterranean forest communities southern Iberian Peninsula, how plant-arbuscular mycorrhizal (AMF) modulate plant-plant recruitment networks. We use a new approach integrating plant-AMF into single multilayer structure. also develop metric (Interlayer Node Neighbourhood Integration, INNI) to explore impact given node across layers. The similarity species AMF is positively related observed frequency interactions field. Results reveal properties networks, degree centrality, can explain about network, in- out-degree (i.e. sapling bank canopy service) its modular However, these relationships differed between communities. Finally, identify particular contribute integrate neighbourhood plants. This network useful role ecosystem function enhanced by fungi. provide evidence complex impacts functional structurally which turn potentially influence through effects network. Read free Plain Language Summary for article Journal blog.