Interactions of belowground fungal communities with exotic and native plant species may be important drivers of plant community structure in invaded grasslands. However, field surveys linking plant community structure with belowground fungal communities are missing. In a new study published in AoB PLANTS, Reininger et al. investigated whether abundant and relatively rare native and exotic plants from an old-field site associate with different fungal communities. They also assessed their symbiotic relationships with soil biota. They found that plant abundance and origin determined the fungal community. Fungal richness was higher for abundant native as opposed to relatively rare native plant species. The same was not true for exotics of contrasting abundance. Abundant exotics were the least mycorrhizal whereas rare natives were most susceptible to enemy attack. Their results suggest that unlike exotics, the relative abundance of native plant species at the old field-site was linked to the structure of belowground fungal communities.
You may also like
SPECIAL ISSUE: The Role of Below-Ground Processes in Mediating Plant Invasions
AoB PLANTS is pleased to announce the publication of a Special Issue entitled The Role of Below-Ground Processes in Mediating Plant Invasions (edited by Inderjit, University of Delhi, India), which examines the role of...
March 10, 2016
Belowground legacies of Pinus contorta invasion and removal result in multiple mechanisms of invasional meltdown
Invasive plants alter plant communities and transform landscapes aboveground, but also have strong belowground effects that are potentially even more important to ecosystem outcomes. In a new study published in AoB...
October 30, 2014
Banking on the past: Seed banks as a reservoir for rare and native species in restored vernal pools
Soil seed banks serve as reservoirs for future plant communities, and when diverse and abundant can buffer vegetation communities against environmental fluctuations. Sparse seed banks, however, may lead to future...
November 29, 2013
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
Read this in your language
@BotanyOne on Mastodon
Loading Mastodon feed...