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Background and aims <p>Conservation of rare and endangered plants (REPs) is increasingly shifting from individual-centric approaches to the preservation of complex ecological interactions. Soil microbiomes, which facilitate plant growth, enhance nutrient acquisition, and suppress pathogens, represent an emerging yet underutilized frontier in REP conservation.</p> Methods <p>We conducted comprehensive field investigations across Southwest China, covering the distribution ranges of three REPs representing distinct mycorrhizal types: <i>Cypripedium subtropicum</i> (orchid mycorrhiza, OrM), <i>Dipteronia dyeriana</i> (arbuscular mycorrhiza, AM), and <i>Pinus squamata</i> (ectomycorrhiza, EcM). We applied an abundance-occupancy framework to identify root-zone core microbiomes and assessed their topological importance and functional potential. Ex situ populations of <i>P. squamata</i> were further analyzed to evaluate the extent to which core microbiomes influence plant performance under translocation conditions.</p> Results <p>We identified species-specific core microbial taxa in three REPs, including putative OrM fungi (e.g. <i>Tulasnella</i> spp.) in <i>C. subtropicum</i> and EcM fungi (e.g. <i>Tuber</i> spp.) in <i>P. squamata</i>. Core taxa contributed substantially to the structure of microbial co-occurrence networks in each plant species and were enriched in functions related to nutrient cycling and pathogen suppression. In ex situ populations of <i>P. squamata</i>, greater similarity to the core fungal microbiome of wild population was associated with a trait syndrome indicative of enhanced resource acquisition.</p> Conclusions <p>By integrating plant and microbial ecology, our findings highlight the potential of core microbiomes in sustaining the survival and performance of rare and endangered plants. These results underscore the need to conserve plant species in concert with their associated microbial partners.</p>

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Potential roles of core soil microbiomes in supporting the conservation of rare and endangered plants

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月20日

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  • Yuxuan Gao,
  • Bowen Qing,
  • Heng Shu,
  • Zirui Zhang,
  • Lanjie Huang,
  • Weile Chen,
  • Xiao-Xin Wei,
  • Yongpeng Ma,
  • Yingxiong Qiu,
  • Xiao-Quan Wang,
  • Lingli Liu

摘要

Background and aims

Conservation of rare and endangered plants (REPs) is increasingly shifting from individual-centric approaches to the preservation of complex ecological interactions. Soil microbiomes, which facilitate plant growth, enhance nutrient acquisition, and suppress pathogens, represent an emerging yet underutilized frontier in REP conservation.

Methods

We conducted comprehensive field investigations across Southwest China, covering the distribution ranges of three REPs representing distinct mycorrhizal types: Cypripedium subtropicum (orchid mycorrhiza, OrM), Dipteronia dyeriana (arbuscular mycorrhiza, AM), and Pinus squamata (ectomycorrhiza, EcM). We applied an abundance-occupancy framework to identify root-zone core microbiomes and assessed their topological importance and functional potential. Ex situ populations of P. squamata were further analyzed to evaluate the extent to which core microbiomes influence plant performance under translocation conditions.

Results

We identified species-specific core microbial taxa in three REPs, including putative OrM fungi (e.g. Tulasnella spp.) in C. subtropicum and EcM fungi (e.g. Tuber spp.) in P. squamata. Core taxa contributed substantially to the structure of microbial co-occurrence networks in each plant species and were enriched in functions related to nutrient cycling and pathogen suppression. In ex situ populations of P. squamata, greater similarity to the core fungal microbiome of wild population was associated with a trait syndrome indicative of enhanced resource acquisition.

Conclusions

By integrating plant and microbial ecology, our findings highlight the potential of core microbiomes in sustaining the survival and performance of rare and endangered plants. These results underscore the need to conserve plant species in concert with their associated microbial partners.