Distribution patterns of fungal community diversity in the dominant tree species

Plant microbial communities are shaped by plant compartments, but the patterns of fungal communities in aboveground and belowground compartments, and which environmental factors can affect them, remain unknown. Here, to address this research gap, high-throughput sequencing technology was performed to investigate the diversity of fungal communities in leaves' and roots' compartments of IMPORTANCE: Understanding the assembly of microbial communities across different compartments is a prerequisite for harnessing them to enhance plant growth. Our findings reveal significant differences in fungal community structures between the root and leaf compartments. Compared to the roots, the leaf compartments exhibited higher α-diversity. While soil pH mainly influenced fungal communities in the roots, the primary drivers for the leaves were rainfall and temperature. The dispersal-limited processes of fungal communities in the roots were greater than those in the leaves, primarily influenced by mycorrhizal fungi. These findings demonstrate compartment-specific plant-microbe interactions and environmental responses, offering actionable insights for conserving tropical tree species through habitat optimization (e.g., soil pH management) and dispersal corridor preservation. This compartment-aware perspective enhances our ability to leverage microbial functions to improve the resilience of endangered trees in the face of climate change.