Final OTU/Sample data matrixOTU-table with taxonomic annotation for OTUs and information on sample treatmentsOTU-samples matrix.xlsxRepresentative sequences for all OTUsUnclustered representative sequences for all OTUsFF_ITS_NC_uclustref_repset.fnaFF6_mapBarcode and primer mapping fileRaw sequences (forward reads) first partFirst part of the bzip-compressed fastq-file containing raw sequences (forward reads) from Illumina HiSeq of pooled fungal DNA. Split with HJSplit as recommended by Dryad (http://wiki.datadryad.org/Large_File_Transfer).FFL6_S1_L001_R1_001.fastq.gz.001FFL6_S1_L001_R1_001.fastq.gz part 2Second part of the bzip-compressed fastq-file containing raw sequences (forward reads) from Illumina HiSeq of pooled fungal DNA. Split with HJSplit as recommended by Dryad (http://wiki.datadryad.org/Large_File_Transfer).FFL6_S1_L001_R1_001.fastq.gz.002FFL6_S1_L001_R1_001.fastq.gz part3Third part of the bzip-compressed fastq-file containing raw sequences (forward reads) from Illumina HiSeq of pooled fungal DNA. Split with HJSplit as recommended by Dryad (http://wiki.datadryad.org/Large_File_Transfer).FFL6_S1_L001_R1_001.fastq.gz.003FFL6_S1_L001_R1_001.fastq.gz part 4Fourth part of the bzip-compressed fastq-file containing raw sequences (forward reads) from Illumina HiSeq of pooled fungal DNA. Split with HJSplit as recommended by Dryad (http://wiki.datadryad.org/Large_File_Transfer).FFL6_S1_L001_R1_001.fastq.gz.004FFL6_S1_L001_R2_001.fastq.gz part1First part of the bzip-compressed fastq-file containing raw sequences (reverse reads) from Illumina HiSeq of pooled fungal DNA. Split with HJSplit as recommended by Dryad (http://wiki.datadryad.org/Large_File_Transfer).FFL6_S1_L001_R2_001.fastq.gz.001FFL6_S1_L001_R2_001.fastq.gz part2Second part of the bzip-compressed fastq-file containing raw sequences (reverse reads) from Illumina HiSeq of pooled fungal DNA. Split with HJSplit as recommended by Dryad (http://wiki.datadryad.org/Large_File_Transfer).FFL6_S1_L001_R2_001.fastq.gz.002FFL6_S1_L001_R2_001.fastq.gz part3Third part of the bzip-compressed fastq-file containing raw sequences (reverse reads) from Illumina HiSeq of pooled fungal DNA. Split with HJSplit as recommended by Dryad (http://wiki.datadryad.org/Large_File_Transfer).FFL6_S1_L001_R2_001.fastq.gz.003FFL6_S1_L001_R2_001.fastq.gz part4Fourth part of the bzip-compressed fastq-file containing raw sequences (reverse reads) from Illumina HiSeq of pooled fungal DNA. Split with HJSplit as recommended by Dryad (http://wiki.datadryad.org/Large_File_Transfer).FFL6_S1_L001_R2_001.fastq.gz.004FFL6_S1_L001_R2_001.fastq.gz part 5Final part of the bzip-compressed fastq-file containing raw sequences (reverse reads) from Illumina HiSeq of pooled fungal DNA. Split with HJSplit as recommended by Dryad (http://wiki.datadryad.org/Large_File_Transfer).FFL6_S1_L001_R2_001.fastq.gz.005

The home-field advantage hypothesis (HFA) predicts that plant litter decomposes faster than expected underneath the plant from which it originates. We tested this hypothesis in a decomposition experiment where litters were incubated reciprocally in neighbouring European beech and Norway spruce forests. We analysed fungal communities in the litter through DNA metabarcoding and evaluated the effect of mesofauna (mites and springtails) on litter mass loss by using different litter-bag mesh sizes. Accounting for general differences in decomposition between litter and forest types, we found a significant home field advantage of 24%. Litter decomposed faster in the beech forest but spruce litter decomposed faster than beech litter. Fungal communities showed a clear dependency on both forest and litter type. Mesofauna did not affect litter mass loss rates or microbial species composition.