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Fungi as mediators linking organisms and ecosystems
Mohammad Bahram1,2, Tarquin Netherway1
1Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Ulls väg 16, 756 51 Sweden.
FEMS Microbiology Reviews
|December 17, 2021
Summary
Fungi are vital ecosystem components, uniquely spanning time, space, and interactions. Their complex ecological roles drive ecosystem functioning and influence macroecology and evolution.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Ecology
- Biogeography
Background:
- Fungi are diverse micro and macroorganisms crucial to Earth's ecosystems.
- Fungal assembly patterns differ from bacteria and plants.
- Fungi exhibit unique abilities to span multiple dimensions of time, space, and biological interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging evidence on fungal interactions.
- To focus on the dynamics of fungal interactions across ecosystems.
- To highlight the mediating role of fungi in ecological processes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of fungal interactions.
- Analysis of fungal roles in different ecosystems.
- Synthesis of evidence on fungal mediation of ecological links.
Main Results:
- Fungi's functional diversity and dispersal modes are significant.
- Fungal interactions influence macroecology and evolution.
- Fungi act as ecological drivers, interconnecting organisms and environments.
Conclusions:
- Fungi's mediating role through complex interactions is key to their ubiquity.
- Fungal ecological interactions are fundamental to ecosystem functioning.
- Fungi are essential for understanding ecological organization and evolution.
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