Arbuscular mycorrhizal communities in different stages of succession after loss of pristine forest

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Association of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) with roots is a pre-requisite for growth and survival of tropical trees. Previous investigations of the applicant revealed that native tropical trees in the Ecuadorian mountain rain forest as well as planted seedlings in reforestation plots on the opposite river side were associated with large numbers of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Diversity and richness of AMF was found similarly high, but Glomus Group A sequence type composition appeared as distinctly different. The lack of most of pristine forest AMF on seedlings may indicate definite loss after clearing of the primary forest trees, but may also be just a sampling artefact. AMF communities of remnant tropical forest trees and regenerating woody plants in the degraded pastures of different succession stages shall therefore be investigated. Results shall show if and how long remnant forest trees can preserve the original AMF potential and to which extent and how fast the original AMF community may regenerate with woody plant successions. Definite change or rehabilitation of the AMF community may determine the final type, secondary or primary, of naturally regenerating forest on degraded tropical sites.