Growth responses of ectomycorrhizal and arbuscular mycorrhizal seedlings to low soil nitrogen availability in a tropical montane forest

Differences in nutrient acquisition pathways between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi are associated with greater soil organic matter accumulation and reduced inorganic nitrogen (N) availability in EM‐dominated forests. These plant–soil feedbacks are expected to influence seedling recruitment and the maintenance of diversity. Montane forests of Central America are characterized by a mosaic of AM and EM dominance. We...