The influence of fungal networks on interactions among adult trees and seedlings.

Tropical rainforests are the most diverse and productive ecosystems on Earth. These system account for two-thirds of global plant diversity, and are often referred to as hyperdiverse in terms of tree species richness. Mycorrhizal fungi act as a major conduit of carbon into soil, and affect competition between trees through connecting them belowground. This plant-fungal interaction is one of the most abundant symbioses on earth and is tightly linked to plant nutrient limitation and diversity. In this project we will test in Forests in French Guyana the effect of neighbouring trees on seedling success through mutualists and antagonists. While it is known that plants can connect to a "common mycorrhizal network", whether this occurs in the field and whether this affects seedling success through increasing access to nutrients, carbon, and reduces vulnerability to antagonists is unknown. Moreover, whether this connection is dependent on whether the adult tree is of the same species is also unknown, but may be an important driver of forest species composition through determining seedling success.Here we will manipulate connection to a common mycorrhizal mycelium and determine the effects on seedling growth depending on adult matching (same – other), as well as the effects on microbes colonizing seedling roots.This experiment will greatly increase our understanding of the importance of mycorrhiza for seedling performance. This knowledge will allow better understanding of the importance of how plant-fungal relationships may contribute to the ecology and biodiversity of rainforests.

Keywords:TROPICAL RAINFOREST, ECOSYSTEMS

Disciplines:Ecology, Microbiology, Plant biology, Systems biology, Environmental science and management, Other environmental sciences, Laboratory medicine