Translocation of elite cultivars across distinct climatic regions often induces transplantation shock. Although the rhizosphere microbiome can facilitate host acclimation, the underlying functional mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigated microbiome-mediated adaptation in “Hongdeng” sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) moved from a humid coastal region (Dalian, DL) to a semi-arid inland habitat (Hohhot, HS). We integrated plant physiological assays, metagenomic sequencing, and structural equation modeling (SEM) to compare the source population (DL), the introduced population (HS), and a locally acclimated reference cultivar (“Summit”, HSY). The introduced trees adjusted physiologically to the semi-arid environment by elevating proline levels and antioxidant enzyme activities. Although environmental stress reduced microbial alpha diversity, the core taxonomic framework persisted. Community assembly analysis indicated that the semi-arid climate intensified environmental filtering. Network analysis identified Sphingomonas as a keystone taxon; notably, it maintained a highly connected topological role despite a stable relative abundance. Furthermore, structural equation modeling showed that the environmental stress index positively correlated with the upregulation of microbial DNA repair pathways (R = 0.81, p < 0.001). Ultimately, the SEM demonstrated that environmental stress primarily shapes microbial functional profiles rather than driving species turnover, thereby contributing to host adaptation. The successful establishment of introduced sweet cherry in semi-arid regions is tied more closely to rhizosphere functional plasticity than to taxonomic restructuring. These findings highlight the role of the keystone taxon Sphingomonas in maintaining rhizosphere homeostasis, offering a theoretical framework for targeted microbiome engineering to mitigate transplant shock and enhance crop resilience.

Gut microbial symbionts are increasingly recognized as key modulators of host insect physiology and behavior, yet their role in pheromone-mediated chemical communication remains insufficiently understood. In this study, we investigated the wood-boring beetle Trigonorhinus sp., a pest of Caragana liouana, to determine the necessity of gut bacteria for male aggregation pheromone release. A combination of antibiotic-mediated bacterial depletion, quantitative PCR, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and Y-tube olfactometry was employed. Antibiotic treatment resulted in a marked reduction in gut bacterial load and a concomitant decrease of more than 85% in the emission of two key pheromone components, 2,6,10,14-tetramethylheptadecane and heptacosane. Behavioral assays demonstrated that females no longer exhibited significant attraction to treated males. Furthermore, defined recolonization with a single cultured gut isolate, Acinetobacter guillouiae, was sufficient to rescue pheromone emission. This indicates that particular gut taxa, rather than microbial biomass alone, are essential for pheromone biosynthesis. These findings demonstrate a decisive role of gut bacteria in the chemical communication of Trigonorhinus sp. and highlight the potential of symbiont-targeted strategies for pest management.

Climate change and human activities are profoundly reshaping species distributions, yet their combined impacts on plants with dual ecological-economic roles remain poorly understood. This study investigates Xanthium strumarium, a medicinal-invasive plant, across China using an integrated framework of species distribution modeling (Biomod2), niche dynamics (Ecospat), and rhizosphere microbiome analysis (Tax4Fun). Results reveal that human footprint (66.6% contribution), elevation, and slope dominate its distribution, with suitable habitats projected to expand by 8.9–28.6% under future scenarios (SSP1-2.6 to SSP5-8.5), particularly in Yunnan, Guangdong, and Inner Mongolia. Despite high niche conservatism (Schoener’s D = 0.8986–0.9338), ecological adaptability slightly declines under high emissions. Rhizosphere microbial communities, dominated by Proteobacteria and enriched in nitrogen-cycling taxa (Nitrospira, Verrucomicrobia), enhance adaptability through metabolic and environmental response functions, enabling colonization of disturbed soils. These findings highlight the synergistic roles of climate-driven habitat shifts and microbiome-mediated resilience in shaping X. strumarium’s invasion success. The study provides critical insights for managing its dual roles, advocating for strategies that address both anthropogenic drivers and microbial ecology in biodiversity conservation under global change.

Global environmental changes increasingly alter species distributions, yet their effects on plants serving both ecological and economic functions remain inadequately explored. We examined Xanthium strumarium, a species with medicinal and invasive properties, throughout China using integrated approaches: species distribution modeling (Biomod2), niche analysis (Ecospat), and rhizosphere microbiome profiling (Tax4Fun). Our findings demonstrate that human footprint index (66.6% variable importance), elevation, and topographic slope primarily determine current distribution patterns. Future climate scenarios predict habitat expansion of 8.9–28.6%, identifying high-risk invasion zones primarily concentrated in Yunnan, Guangdong, and Inner Mongolia provinces. Although niche overlap analysis indicates high conservatism (Schoener’s D = 0.8986–0.9338), ecological adaptability shows a modest decline under elevated emission scenarios. Rhizosphere bacterial assemblages, characterized by Proteobacteria dominance and nitrogen-cycling taxa enrichment (Nitrospira, Verrucomicrobia), facilitate adaptation through enhanced metabolic pathways and environmental stress responses, promoting establishment in anthropogenically disturbed environments. Our results underscore the interactive effects of climate-mediated range shifts and microbiome-assisted resilience mechanisms underlying X. strumarium’s invasive potential. This research offers essential guidance for managing dual-function species, emphasizing integrated strategies that consider both anthropogenic pressures and microbial associations in conservation planning under accelerating global change.

Global environmental changes increasingly alter species distributions, yet their effects on plants serving both ecological and economic functions remain inadequately explored. We examined Xanthium strumarium, a species with medicinal and invasive properties, throughout China using integrated approaches: species distribution modeling (Biomod2), niche analysis (Ecospat), and rhizosphere microbiome profiling (Tax4Fun). Our findings demonstrate that human footprint index (66.6% variable importance), elevation, and topographic slope primarily determine current distribution patterns. Future climate scenarios predict habitat expansion of 8.9–28.6%, identifying high-risk invasion zones primarily concentrated in Yunnan, Guangdong, and Inner Mongolia provinces. Although niche overlap analysis indicates high conservatism (Schoener’s D = 0.8986–0.9338), ecological adaptability shows a modest decline under elevated emission scenarios. Rhizosphere bacterial assemblages, characterized by Proteobacteria dominance and nitrogen-cycling taxa enrichment (Nitrospira, Verrucomicrobia), facilitate adaptation through enhanced metabolic pathways and environmental stress responses, promoting establishment in anthropogenically disturbed environments. Our results underscore the interactive effects of climate-mediated range shifts and microbiome-assisted resilience mechanisms underlying X. strumarium’s invasive potential. This research offers essential guidance for managing dual-function species, emphasizing integrated strategies that consider both anthropogenic pressures and microbial associations in conservation planning under accelerating global change.

Global environmental changes increasingly alter species distributions, yet their effects on plants serving both ecological and economic functions remain inadequately explored. We examined Xanthium strumarium , a species with medicinal and invasive properties, throughout China using integrated approaches: species distribution modeling (Biomod2), niche analysis (Ecospat), and rhizosphere microbiome profiling (Tax4Fun). Our findings demonstrate that human footprint index (66.6% variable importance), elevation, and topographic slope primarily determine current distribution patterns. Future climate scenarios predict habitat expansion of 8.9–28.6%, identifying high-risk invasion zones primarily concentrated in Yunnan, Guangdong, and Inner Mongolia provinces. Although niche overlap analysis indicates high conservatism (Schoener’s D = 0.8986–0.9338), ecological adaptability shows a modest decline under elevated emission scenarios. Rhizosphere bacterial assemblages, characterized by Proteobacteria dominance and nitrogen-cycling taxa enrichment ( Nitrospira , Verrucomicrobia ), facilitate adaptation through enhanced metabolic pathways and environmental stress responses, promoting establishment in anthropogenically disturbed environments. Our results underscore the interactive effects of climate-mediated range shifts and microbiome-assisted resilience mechanisms underlying X. strumarium’s invasive potential. This research offers essential guidance for managing dual-function species, emphasizing integrated strategies that consider both anthropogenic pressures and microbial associations in conservation planning under accelerating global change.