Multiple dimensions of phylogenetic diversity are needed to explain the complex aboveground–belowground diversity relationships

Abstract

The complex relationship between aboveground and belowground diversity and whether they act as surrogates for one another remains unresolved. Increasing evidence suggests that investigating phylogenetic diversity could provide valuable insights into the interplay between plants and soil microbes, but the proliferation of phylogenetic diversity metrics has hindered comparative studies and the identification of general patterns. To overcome this challenge, we implemented a multi-dimensional framework that classifies phylogenetic diversity metrics into three dimensions: richness, divergence, and regularity, each of which captures different ecological aspects of species differences. Then we applied this framework to investigate the relationship between above and belowground diversity in a subtropical forest in eastern China. We found that phylogenetic diversity of plant and soil microbes, including bacteria and fungi, were more strongly correlated at the richness and regularity dimensions compared with divergence dimension. Further analyses revealed that these observed correlation patterns align with variations in soil total phosphorus content, a key factor influencing both plant and microbial phylogenetic diversity at richness and regularity dimensions. Together, our study demonstrated the necessity of using a multi-dimensional approach to advance our understanding of the complex relationships between plant and soil microbial biodiversity.