Mycorrhizal Mediation of Grassland Biotic Interactions and Plant Community Structure

9317976哈特尼特这项研究继续调查菌根共生如何调节植物之间的营养交换，从而影响植物群落的结构和动态。通过田间研究和温室实验相结合的方法，研究了通过菌根菌丝桥在植物之间的营养转移模式的控制机制，以及菌丝体对植物之间的竞争和植物对放牧反应的影响。还考察了放牧压力对菌根真菌活性的影响。本研究对菌根真菌与植物之间的联合在植物物种间的资源竞争中所起的作用以及植物与草食动物之间的相互作用提供了新的见解。群落的功能和结构可能比之前认为的更受菌根互惠作用的影响。这项研究的信息可能对了解生态系统功能、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应用。***

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. ***