Knowledge Bank

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi play crucial roles in terrestrial ecosystems by forming mutualistic relationships with over 80% of land plants and aiding in nutrient uptake. AM fungal spores display traits that help us understand environmental and seasonal effects on AM fungal community assembly. This study investigated how land use and seasonality affect AM fungal spore community composition and how spore traits mediate these effects. Samples were collected from grassland, woodland, and agricultural field plots across three sites in central Ohio during the spring and fall. Spore communities were quantified, and traits such as hue volume, and saturation were measured. Land use and season influenced AM fungal community composition and traits. Woodlands promoted sporulation, lower luminance, and higher saturation. While land use directly impacted community assembly in spring, trait-mediated effects were only observed in fall, suggesting seasonality influences fungal community dynamics. Trait-based approaches elucidate the intricate interactions between land use, seasonality, and AM fungal community assembly, providing valuable insights for ecosystem management and conservation strategies.