Mycorrhizal Mediation of Grassland Biotic Interactions and Plant Community Structure

小行星9317976 本研究继续调查菌根共生体如何介导植物之间的营养交换，从而影响植物群落的结构和动态。 结合实地研究和温室实验研究的机制控制模式的植物之间的营养转移，通过菌根菌丝桥和mycorrhydrium的影响，植物之间的竞争和植物对放牧的反应。 还研究了放牧压力对菌根真菌活性的影响。 本研究对于了解菌根真菌与植物之间的关联在植物物种间资源竞争以及植物与食草动物之间的相互作用中所起的作用具有重要意义。 群落的功能和结构可能比以前认为的更强烈地受到菌根互惠的影响。 这项研究的信息可能对理解生态系统功能、树木和农业植物的矿物质营养以及杂草对栽培植物的影响具有重要的应用价值。 ***

9317976 Hartnett This research continues investigations into how mycorrhizal symbioses mediate exchange of nutrients among plants and thereby influence the structure and dynamics of plant communities. A combination of field studies and greenhouse experiments examines the mechanisms controlling patterns of nutrient transfer between plants via mycorrhizal hyphal bridges and the influence of mycorrhyzae on competition among plants and on plant response to grazing. The influence of grazing pressure on the activity of mycorrhizal fungi is also examined. %%% This research is significant in providing new insights into the role played by associations between mycorrhizal fungi and plants in the competition for resources among plant species and interactions between plants and herbivores. The function and structure of communities may be more strongly influenced by mycorrhizal mutualisms than has been previously thought. Information from this research could have important applications to understanding ecosystem function, mineral nutrition of trees and agricultural plants, and the effect of weeds on cultivated plants. ***