Ectomycorrhizal fungi respiration quantification and drivers in three differently-aged larch plantations

•We qualified ectomycorrhizal fungal respiration (Rem) and drivers in plantations.•Rem represented an average of 41% of the rhizosphere respiration across three stands.•Rem correlated with soil temperature, soil moisture, and annual fine roots increment.•Clear seasonal variation of Rem was identified in the three larch plantations.•Rem in summer in sapling stand was higher than those in young and mature stands.