Temperature affects the timing and duration of fungal fruiting patterns across major terrestrial biomes

The Earth's ecosystems are affected by a complex interplay of biotic and abiotic factors. While global temperatures increase, associated changes in the fruiting behaviour of fungi remain unknown. Here, we analyse 6.1 million fungal fruit body (mushroom) records and show that the major terrestrial biomes exhibit similarities and differences in fruiting events. We observed one main fruiting peak in most years across all biomes. However, in boreal and temperate biomes, there was a substantial number of years with a second peak, indicating spring and autumn fruiting. Distinct fruiting peaks are spatially synchronized in boreal and temperate biomes, but less defined and longer in the humid tropics. The timing and duration of fungal fruiting were significantly related to temperature mean and variability. Temperature-dependent aboveground fungal fruiting behaviour, which is arguably also representative of belowground processes, suggests that the observed biome-specific differences in fungal phenology will change in space and time when global temperatures continue to increase.

Automated summary

By analyzing 6.1 million fungal fruit body records, this study reveals the similarities and differences in fruiting events in major terrestrial biomes. While most biomes exhibit a main fruiting peak in most years, boreal and temperate biomes also have a second peak indicating spring and autumn fruiting. The timing and duration of fungal fruiting are influenced by temperature, and with global temperature increase, these biome-specific differences in fungal phenology are expected to change in space and time.