Abstract: Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi establish mutualistic symbioses with most terrestrial plants, significantly influencing litter decomposition, soil carbon cycling, and modulating the responses of soil respiration to global change. In this review, we synthesized current knowledge on the effects of AM and EM fungi on soil respiration and its components, emphasizing the underlying biological mechanisms. We compared the responses of soil respiration components to global change between different mycorrhizal forest types and identified key knowledge gaps and future research directions. (1) While the contribution of mycorrhizal respiration to total soil respiration is increasingly recognized, there is substantial variability of reported values, ranging from 2% to 48%. The scarcity of comprehensive data underscores the need for further research. (2) Interactions between mycorrhizal fungi and free-living decomposers are critical in regulating soil respiration, yet empirical field validations remain limited. Future studies should focus on elucidating these interactions through field experimental platforms. (3) Understanding how different mycorrhizal types regulate the responses of soil respiration to global change is a current research priority. This review highlights the necessity for more extensive field-based studies and the integration of mycorrhizal regulation of soil carbon processes into Earth System Models to enhance our understanding of soil respiration processes in the context of global change.

Key words: ectomycorrhiza, arbuscular mycorrhiza, soil respiration, mycorrhizal respiration, global change