A multi-proxy approach highlights the role of pedological substrate in shaping fungal communities in temperate mountain forest soils
Soil fungi play a key role in nutrient cycling and soil organic matter turnover, yet the influence of pedological context on fungal communities across forest types remains insufficiently understood. Here, we combined soil chemical analyses, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and ITS metabarcoding to investigate soil properties and fungal communities in temperate mountain beech and Norway spruce forests in Italy developed on contrasting geological substrates. Soil horizons were sampled across seasons to identify the main drivers of fungal community structure and inferred functional diversity. Soil chemistry revealed strong site and horizon dependent patterns, particularly in pH, Ca and P availability, whereas differences related to dominant tree species were comparatively limited. FTIR spectra showed clear variation in organic matter composition among sites and horizons, consistent with substrate and litter driven processes. Fungal community composition was primarily structured by site and soil horizon, with only minor seasonal and vegetation related effects. Functional guild patterns suggested ectomycorrhizal dominance in Ca-rich soils and greater saprotrophic prevalence in more acidic soils. Overall, this multi-proxy approach highlights geological substrate and pedological development as primary controls on fungal community structure and ecological strategies in forest soils.
Soil fungi play a key role in nutrient cycling and soil organic matter turnover, yet the influence of pedological context on fungal communities across forest types remains insufficiently understood. Here, we combined soil chemical analyses, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and ITS metabarcoding to investigate soil properties and fungal communities in temperate mountain beech and Norway spruce forests in Italy developed on contrasting geological substrates. Soil horizons were sampled across seasons to identify the main drivers of fungal community structure and inferred functional diversity. Soil chemistry revealed strong site and horizon dependent patterns, particularly in pH, Ca and P availability, whereas differences related to dominant tree species were comparatively limited. FTIR spectra showed clear variation in organic matter composition among sites and horizons, consistent with substrate and litter driven processes. Fungal community composition was primarily structured by site and soil horizon, with only minor seasonal and vegetation related effects. Functional guild patterns suggested ectomycorrhizal dominance in Ca-rich soils and greater saprotrophic prevalence in more acidic soils. Overall, this multi-proxy approach highlights geological substrate and pedological development as primary controls on fungal community structure and ecological strategies in forest soils.
UNIVERSITY OF PADOVA