Suilloid fungi as global drivers of pine invasions

What is it about?

Belowground biota influence plant invasions. We show that a particular group of fungi that invades together with pines, is capable of triggering a pine invasion in both their native and non-native ranges. If they are present, pines will invade. We propose a set of ecological traits that differentiate them from other groups of fungi and make them key determinants of pine invasions. These results suggest that the identity of soil organisms, and their ecological interactions, are key to understanding plant invasion processes and their success or failure.

Featured Image