Towards Ecological Relevance — Progress and Pitfalls in the Path Towards an Understanding of Mycorrhizal Functions in Nature

Plant community composition, not diversity, regulates soil respiration in grasslands

“…Recent evidence suggests that the diversity of plants in a community can have significant impacts on ecosystem functioning (Spehn et al 2005), although there remains intense debate about the interpretation of many findings (Thompson et al 2005). In particular, experiments using unnatural soils, sterilization pre-treatments and immature plants may have little ecological relevance (Read 2002). Furthermore, most of the past studies have focused on productivity, soil nutrient status and leaching as indicators of ecosystem function, yet soil respiration has been studied only rarely, often in short-term studies (e.g.…”

Humusica 1, article 8: Terrestrial humus systems and forms – Biological activity and soil aggregates, space-time dynamics

“…The symbiotic association between fungi and plant roots increases plant nutrient and water acquisition and protects the host plants from pathogens and parasites such as parasitic fungi and nematodes (Read, 2002). In return, fungi obtain sugars and the associated chemical energy from the plant.…”

Identification and community profiling of Vaccinium membranaceum root-associated fungi over an elevation gradient in BC's eastern rocky mountains.

“…The soil in boreal and northern temperate climates is storing a sizable portion of the earth's carbon (Smith and Read 2008). Since these forests cover 70% of the northern hemisphere, their ecosystems are globally important (Read 2002). Soil dynamics, including in large part mycorrhizal symbioses, are an important part of this globally crucial system.…”

“…Ericoid fungi are found on the roots of plants in the order Ericales, including Ericaceae in the Northern Hemisphere and Epacridaceae in the Southern Hemisphere (Smith and Read 2008). Ericoid mycorrhizas are found in northern temperate and boreal forests and predominate in nutrient poor habitats including heaths, the alpine and sub-alpine regions in mountainous regions as well as the arctic (Read 2002;Smith and Read 2008).…”

“…Thus they do not seem to be limited by habitat or geographic range. Piercey et al (2004) (Read 2002). For instance, it has been shown that R. ericae grown in culture changes its nutritional preferences and metabolizing abilities after storage (Grelet et al 2005).…”