Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1038/s41559-026-03147-6
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Tree diversity and mycorrhizal type independently shape multitrophic biodiversity, with stronger effects belowground than aboveground
Author Yi, H.; Ferlian, O.; Becker, P.J.; Christel, H.; Huang, Y.; Köhler, M.; Meier, I.C.; Ul Haq, H. ORCID logo ; Wubet, T. ORCID logo ; Eisenhauer, N.
Source Titel Nature Ecology & Evolution
Year 2026
Department BZF; iDiv
Volume 10
Issue 9
Page From 1628
Page To 1643
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Data and Software links https://doi.org/10.25829/AEKQ-V240
https://doi.org/10.25829/KJ6F-QG85
https://doi.org/10.25829/MFDW-KW26
https://doi.org/10.25829/VY0G-B534
https://doi.org/10.25829/Z5KP-BV11
https://doi.org/10.25829/58EF-HN10
Supplements Supplement 1
Supplement 2
Abstract Tree diversity declines and shifts in mycorrhizal dominance may have cascading effects on multitrophic diversity. Whether the effects are additive or synergistic and consistent across taxa and functional groups is unclear. Here we test how microorganisms and invertebrates spanning multiple trophic levels, both above- and belowground, respond to experimental manipulation of tree species richness and mycorrhizal type in a young forest stand (the MyDiv experiment in Germany). Tree diversity increased belowground abundance and taxonomic richness of microorganisms and lower-trophic-level nematodes, cascading to meso- and macrofauna predators, whereas aboveground effects were limited to foliar fungi and soil-surface omnivores. Mycorrhizal type strongly structured belowground food webs and influenced aboveground predators, but mixtures showed only additive effects. For most trophic groups, diversity responses were similar across mycorrhizal types. Tree diversity and mycorrhizal type effects were mediated by leaf quality, canopy complexity and nutrient availability. Our results highlight tree diversity and mycorrhizal type as potentially distinct drivers of multitrophic biodiversity, primarily governing belowground bottom-up effects.
Yi, H., Ferlian, O., Becker, P.J., Christel, H., Huang, Y., Köhler, M., Meier, I.C., Ul Haq, H., Wubet, T., Eisenhauer, N. (2026):
Tree diversity and mycorrhizal type independently shape multitrophic biodiversity, with stronger effects belowground than aboveground
Nat. Ecol. Evol. 10 (9), 1628 - 1643
10.1038/s41559-026-03147-6