Fine-resolution global maps of root biomass carbon colonized by arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal fungi

Abstract

Despite the recognized importance of mycorrhizal associations in ecosystem functioning, the actual abundance patterns of mycorrhizal fungi belowground are still unknown. This information is key for better quantification of mycorrhizal impacts on ecosystem processes and for incorporating mycorrhizal pathways into global biogeochemical models. Here we present the first high-resolution maps of fine root stocks colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi (MgC ha−1). The maps were assembled by combining multiple open-source databases holding information on root biomass carbon, the proportion of AM and EcM tree biomass, plot-level relative abundance of plant species and intensity of AM and EcM root colonization. We calculated root-associated AM and EcM abundance in 881 spatial units, defined as the combination of ecoregions and land cover types across six continents. The highest AM abundances are observed in the (sub-)tropics, while the highest EcM abundances occur in the taiga regions. These maps serve as a basis for future research where continuous spatial estimates of root mycorrhizal stocks are needed.