A global forest ecosystem database of tree growth and leaf herbivory across different mycorrhizal types

Different mycorrhizal types of dominant trees differentially modulate host nutrient acquisition strategies, thereby profoundly influencing the relative growth rates (RGR) of trees and leaf susceptibility to herbivory. To elucidate the macroecological linkages among tree mycorrhizal types, plant growth strategies, and anti-herbivore defenses, this study constructed a database linking leaf herbivory and RGR of trees across diverse forest biomes, focusing on the two most common mycorrhizal types arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) and ectomycorrhiza (ECM)—in nature.

[Methods] On the basis of the datasets compiled by Li et al., 7 articles matching our research theme, and 61 studies from the TRY database, we systematically integrated and standardized empirical data to establish a database of tree growth and leaf herbivory across distinct mycorrhizal types at both individual and species levels. For species-level data, we aggregated the records by calculating the mean values for each variable per species within a single plot, and subsequently categorized by mycorrhizal type.