Global diversity and ecological drivers of lichenised soil fungi

Lichens play crucial roles in sustaining the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems; however, diversity and ecological factors associated with lichenised soil fungi remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we used a global field survey including information on fungal sequences topsoils from 235 ecosystems. We identified 880 phylotypes across nine biomes ranging deserts to tropical forests. The proportion peaked shrublands dry grasslands. Aridity index, plant cover pH were most important distribution fungi. Furthermore, Endocarpon, Verrucaria Rinodina as some dominant genera globe, they had similar environmental preferences community. In addition, precipitation seasonality mean diurnal temperature range also predicting these genera. Using information, able create first maps richness This work provides new insight into fungi, supports their dominance drylands globe.