Root-Associated Fungal Communities of Different-Aged Silver Birch Stands Naturally Regenerated on Abandoned Farmland

Trophic structure and α-diversity remained stable across stands. Ordination revealed a distinct clustering of root-associated fungal communities among the four studied stands. Late-stage ectomycorrhizal taxa dominated the older sites, whereas soil chemistry showed no clear association with community structure.

Differences in fungal community assembly were likely driven by inoculum availability, local microsite conditions, and stochastic processes. These findings indicate that fungal succession during passive forest restoration on post-agricultural land is characterized primarily by progressive turnover in community composition rather than increasing diversity, with stand development and local factors jointly shaping fungal community assembly.</p>