Plant-microbe interactions in tropical and subtropical ecosystems

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Microbiology
• Plant Science

Background:

• Plant performance, fitness, and ecosystem functioning are influenced by microbial communities.
• Studies on plant-microbe interactions are geographically biased, with underrepresentation of tropical and subtropical ecosystems.
• This limits generalizable understanding of microbial roles in plant community dynamics and responses to global change.

Discussion:

• This special section addresses the geographical gap by presenting research on plant-microbe interactions in tropical and subtropical regions.
• It explores variations in soil microbial communities, context-dependent microbial assembly on plants, and the epiphytic plant microbiome.
• The compilation aims to stimulate further research in these megadiverse ecosystems.

Key Insights:

• Microbial communities play a crucial role in plant community dynamics across various scales.
• Tropical and subtropical ecosystems are vital but understudied areas for plant-microbe interactions.
• Understanding these interactions is key to predicting ecosystem responses to environmental change.

Outlook:

• Future research should focus on expanding studies of plant-microbe interactions into underrepresented tropical and subtropical regions.
• Investigating the microbiome of epiphytic plants offers a new frontier for understanding plant-microbe symbiosis.
• Integrating diverse research from these ecosystems will enhance our comprehension of microbial influences on plant communities globally.