Forest Plot Butianshan China (IMAGE) University of Maryland Caption A forest plot in Gutianshan National Nature Reserve in Zhejiang Province, China. Researchers from the University of Maryland and the Chinese Academy of Sciences found that the type of beneficial soil fungi living around tree roots in this subtropical forest determined how quickly the trees accumulated harmful, pathogenic fungi as they grew and could play a key role in determining forest biodiversity. Credit Yunquan Wang/Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.