Response of Soil Fungal-Community Structure to Crop-Tree Thinning in Pinus massoniana Plantation

Abstract

To address the ecological challenges arising from pure forest plantations and the wood supply–demand imbalance, implementing sustainable forest management is paramount. Accordingly, we studied crop trees at three densities (100, 150, and 200 N/ha) in a subtropical Pinus massoniana plantation. Our study revealed that the dominant phyla and genera within the fungal community remained largely consistent, with Basidiomycota and Ascomycota occupying prominent positions. Notably, the β diversity of the fungal community exhibited significant changes. Ectomycorrhizal and saprophytic fungi emerged as crucial functional guilds, and crop-tree thinning contributed to increased complexity within the fungal network, with a prevalence of positive rather than negative correlations among genera. The significant roles played by Camphor plants and ferns were evident in the fungal networks. Additionally, under crop-tree thinning, plant diversity experienced a significant boost, fostering interactions with the fungal community. Herb diversity played a vital role in the fungal community, affecting it either directly or indirectly, by altering the content of total phosphorus or organic matter in the soil. This study underscores the relationship between undergrowth plants and soil fungal communities, offering a scientific basis for evaluating the sustainability of restoring inefficient forest-plantation ecosystems.