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Above- and belowground plant pathogens along elevational gradients: patterns and potential mechanisms
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  • Ziyuan Lin,
  • Fletcher Halliday,
  • Peng Zhang,
  • Xingxing Wang,
  • Fei Chen,
  • Anya Shi,
  • Juanjuan Shi,
  • Yao Xiao,
  • Xiang Liu
Ziyuan Lin
Lanzhou University
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Fletcher Halliday
University of Zurich
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Peng Zhang
Lanzhou University
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Xingxing Wang
Lanzhou University
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Fei Chen
Lanzhou University
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Anya Shi
Lanzhou University
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Juanjuan Shi
Lanzhou University
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Yao Xiao
Lanzhou University
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Xiang Liu
Lanzhou University

Corresponding Author:lx@lzu.edu.cn

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Abstract

Plant pathogens are important for ecosystem functioning and community assembly and respond to a variety of biotic and abiotic factors, which change along elevation gradients. Thus elevational gradients are a valuable model system for exploring how plant community, soil properties, and environmental factors influence pathogens. Yet, how these factors influence pathogens in nature remains poorly understood. We tested patterns and potential mechanisms of plant fungal pathogens along elevational gradients by combining a field survey in the Tibetan Plateau with a global meta-analysis. We found that increasing elevation was associated with a decrease in soil fungal pathogen richness but not foliar fungal disease symptoms. Elevation mainly related to soil fungal pathogen richness through abiotic factors. Whereas no evidence supported association between elevation and foliar fungal disease. The meta-analysis suggests some generality in the results of the field survey: elevation was associated with a decrease in soil fungal pathogen richness, but had no consistent relationship with foliar fungal disease or pathogens. Our study reveals distinct patterns of above- and belowground plant pathogen along elevation gradients and provides new insight into the potential mechanisms in shaping these patterns.
25 Sep 2023Submitted to Oikos
26 Sep 2023Submission Checks Completed
26 Sep 2023Assigned to Editor
26 Sep 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
29 Sep 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
03 Mar 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Major
29 Mar 20241st Revision Received
08 Apr 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
17 Jun 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
02 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
03 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
15 Aug 20243rd Revision Received
15 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
15 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
15 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
28 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Accept