Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 18, 2025
09:17
Investigation of Plant Interactions Across Common Mycorrhizal Networks Using Rotated Cores
Published on: March 26, 2019
12.3K
Invasive plants decrease arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity and promote generalist fungal partners
John V Ramana1,2, Jason M Tylianakis1, Warwick J Allen1,2
1Bioprotection Aotearoa, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, 8041, New Zealand.
The New Phytologist
|June 26, 2025
Summary
Exotic plant invasion reduces arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) diversity and favors generalist fungi. Invasion extent, not root traits, drives these changes, emphasizing the need to protect belowground biodiversity.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Environmental Science
- Mycology
Background:
- Exotic plant invasions threaten global biodiversity.
- Belowground mutualisms, like arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) associations, can influence invasion success.
- Previous research on plant invasion impacts on AMF communities yielded mixed results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how the extent of exotic plant dominance affects AMF diversity, composition, and generalism.
- To determine if plant root traits, specifically root diameter, explain or moderate these impacts.
- To assess these effects at both individual plant and community levels.
Main Methods:
- Experimental plant communities were established with varying degrees of exotic plant dominance (0%–100%).
- Root traits (root diameter) and AMF communities were characterized in both native and exotic plants.
- AMF diversity, composition, and generalism were analyzed in relation to invasion extent and root traits.
Main Results:
- Increased exotic dominance led to decreased AMF diversity in both individual plant roots and the overall plant community.
- Plant communities with higher exotic dominance showed a greater relative abundance of generalist AMF.
- Root diameter influenced AMF composition but did not mediate or drive the effects of exotic plant invasion.
Conclusions:
- The extent of exotic plant invasion is a critical factor influencing belowground arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities.
- Invasion reduces AMF diversity and promotes generalist fungi, irrespective of root diameter.
- Conserving belowground biodiversity is crucial in the context of exotic plant invasions.
More Related Videos
08:28Mycorrhizal Maps as a Tool to Explore Colonization Patterns and Fungal Strategies in the Roots of Festuca rubra and Zea mays
Published on: August 26, 2022
2.9K
06:43Author Spotlight: Enhancing AM Fungi Research with SAP-AS — A Novel Technique for Single-Spore Cultures
Published on: June 14, 2024
2.0K
Related Concept Videos
02:11The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition
41.8K
Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.
41.8K
02:40Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores
13.2K
Plants often form mutualistic relationships with soil-dwelling fungi or bacteria to enhance their roots’ nutrient uptake ability. Root-colonizing fungi (e.g., mycorrhizae) increase a plant’s root surface area, which promotes nutrient absorption. While root-colonizing, nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., rhizobia) convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3), making nitrogen available to plants for various biological functions. For example, nitrogen is essential for the...
13.2K
01:29Fungal Group Zygomycota
133
Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
133
01:27Diversity of Protists II
151
Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
151
01:26Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota
235
Basidiomycota is a diverse phylum of fungi that includes ecologically significant decomposers such as white rot fungi, symbionts like mycorrhizal fungi, plant pathogens such as rusts and smuts, and edible species like Agaricus bisporus (the common button mushroom). These fungi play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, symbiotic relationships, and even human health. Their defining feature is the basidium, a microscopic club-shaped structure responsible for producing basidiospores.Fruiting Bodies...
235
00:58Symbiosis
31.0K
Symbiotic relationships are long-term, close interactions between individuals of different species that affect the distribution and abundance of those species. When a relationship is beneficial to both species, this is called mutualism. When the relationship is beneficial to one species but neither beneficial nor harmful to the other species, this is called commensalism. When one organism is harmed to benefit another, the relationship is known as parasitism. These types of relationships often...
31.0K