Global Patterns of Mycorrhizal Distribution and Their Environmental Drivers

Mycorrhizal symbiosis is an important driver of ecosystem functioning and biogeochemical cycling processes. Due to their wide distribution, three types of mycorrhizal symbiosis, arbuscular, ecto- and ericoid mycorrhizas, arguably play a prominent role in controlling ecosystem functioning at global scale. However, our understanding of the nature and degree of their involvement in ecosystem processes worldwide is hindered by a lack of knowledge on global distribution patterns of mycorrhizal plants. We review the state of the art of our data and knowledge with respect to global mycorrhizal distribution patterns; present first maps of the registered occurrences of plant species that feature arbuscular, ecto- and ericoid mycorrhizas; and provide recommendations for further improvement of our understanding of mycorrhizal geography and their environmental drivers.