Articles | Volume 26, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/we-26-119-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/we-26-119-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Standard article
| 
29 Jul 2026
Standard article |
| 29 Jul 2026
| 29 Jul 2026
Forb species benefit more than grasses from a diverse arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community in semi-arid grasslands
Yelyzaveta Shpilkina
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Instituto Multidisciplinar Para el Estudio del Medio “Ramón Margalef”, Universidad de Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
ICREA-Complex Systems Lab, University Pompeu Fabra, Dr. Aiguader 80, Barcelona 08003, Spain
Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, Pg. Maritim de la Barceloneta 37, Barcelona 08003, Spain
Martti Vasar
Department of Botany, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, J. Liivi tn. 2, 50409 Tartu, Estonia
Sergio Asensio
Instituto Multidisciplinar Para el Estudio del Medio “Ramón Margalef”, Universidad de Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
Grupo de Ecoloxía Animal (GEA), Universidad de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
Victoria Ochoa
Instituto Universitario de Investigación en el Olivar y Aceites de Oliva-INUO, Universidad de Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain
Beatriz Gozalo
Instituto Multidisciplinar Para el Estudio del Medio “Ramón Margalef”, Universidad de Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
Kolja Enste
Faculty of Biology, University of Bielefeld, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
Martin Zobel
Department of Botany, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, J. Liivi tn. 2, 50409 Tartu, Estonia
Francesco de Bello
Desertification Research Centre (CIDE), Carretera. Moncada-Náquera, Km 4,5. 46113 Valencia, Spain
Marcel van der Heijden
Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046 Zürich, Switzerland
Fernando T. Maestre
Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Lena Neuenkamp
Instituto Multidisciplinar Para el Estudio del Medio “Ramón Margalef”, Universidad de Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
Faculty of Biology, University of Bielefeld, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
Joint Institute for Individualisation in a Changing Environment (JICE), University of Münster and Bielefeld University, Münster and Bielefeld, Germany
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Short summary
Our greenhouse study shows arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi drive robust root growth, while grasses boost aboveground yield. Crucially, commercial treatments can reduce fungal diversity, whereas forbs thrive with more diverse fungal communities. This research is vital for sustainable agriculture, proving that simply adding fungi is not enough. We must understand these specific interactions to truly enhance soil biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Our greenhouse study shows arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi drive robust root growth, while...
