A study published in Nature Communications reveals that the composition of fungal communities in forest soils is a strong predictor of forest carbon storage across Europe. The research, conducted across 238 forest plots in 15 European countries, found that fungal species diversity and composition are closely linked to tree growth rates and biomass carbon stocks, while bacterial communities show no such correlation. This relationship is particularly strong for symbiotic endophytic and ectomycorrhizal fungi, which directly support tree growth. The study highlights the importance of fungal communities in regulating carbon storage, as tree growth rates are closely correlated with belowground soil carbon stocks. The findings suggest that fungal composition is a key indicator of overall forest carbon storage, with implications for understanding and managing forest ecosystems in the context of climate change. The study also emphasizes the need for further research into the complex interactions between microbial communities and forest carbon cycling.A study published in Nature Communications reveals that the composition of fungal communities in forest soils is a strong predictor of forest carbon storage across Europe. The research, conducted across 238 forest plots in 15 European countries, found that fungal species diversity and composition are closely linked to tree growth rates and biomass carbon stocks, while bacterial communities show no such correlation. This relationship is particularly strong for symbiotic endophytic and ectomycorrhizal fungi, which directly support tree growth. The study highlights the importance of fungal communities in regulating carbon storage, as tree growth rates are closely correlated with belowground soil carbon stocks. The findings suggest that fungal composition is a key indicator of overall forest carbon storage, with implications for understanding and managing forest ecosystems in the context of climate change. The study also emphasizes the need for further research into the complex interactions between microbial communities and forest carbon cycling.