What is it about?
The Arctic tundra experiences drastic changes, such as increased temperatures and northward shifts in shrub cover. Yet, the local impacts of these changes could be altered by animals causing natural disturbances. Here we show that the presence of reindeer affects the composition of soil fungal communities and alters their responses to warming and fertilization.
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Why is it important?
Tundra ecosystems depend on soil fungi to recycle nutrients and support plants. This study shows that past reindeer grazing sets the stage for how fungal communities, and by extension, tundra ecosystems, respond to climate change. Heavily grazed areas may resist warming but could see more plant pathogens if nutrients increase. Lightly grazed areas are more sensitive to environmental changes.
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This page is a summary of: Reindeer grazing history determines the responses of subarctic soil fungal communities to warming and fertilization, New Phytologist, August 2021, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/nph.17623.
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