“…The high diversity in small islands can be attributable to edge effect -a non-linear gradient of environmental conditions that extends up to 50 m in the habitat interior -which promotes overall habitat heterogeneity and niches (Crockatt, 2012). However, previous studies revealed decline in mycelium biomass, activity, reproductive effort and aboveground diversity toward the ecotone (Crockatt, 2012;Grilli et al, 2017). Our large plots cover various habitat conditions in the ecotone and interior of islands, increasing the number of sampled niches.…”