The effect of mycorrhizal fungi on soil respiration and litter decomposition

Abstract:

Soil respiration is the primary pathway by which plant-fixed CO2 is released back to the atmosphere. Litter decomposition is the key process of nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystem. Most terrestrial plants have symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi, which distributed throughout all the terrestrial ecosystems. However, most of the previous studies have been conducted on its contribution to nutrient cycling. The contributions of mycorrhizal fungi to soil carbon release and litter decomposition were poorly understood. In this paper, we systematically reviewed the progress at home and abroad and comprehensively analyzed how the mycorrhizal fungi influenced carbon release and decomposition and its involving mechanisms. Finally, we pointed out the major problems in the previous studies and raised the future scientific directions.