The mycorrhizal dependence of subordinates determines the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on plant diversity

It is widely recognized that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) influence plant community structure. Several studies in the past few years have focused on the effect of AMF on plant diversity, showing contradictory results. On the basis of studies carried out in grasslands, it has been proposed that...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Urcelay, Roberto Carlos, Díaz, Sandra Myrna
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2003
País:Argentina
Institución:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Repositorio:CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/38942
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/11336/38942
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Arbuscular Mycorrhizas
Dominance Hierarchies
Mycorrhizal Dependence
Plant Diversity
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1.6
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1
Descripción
Sumario:It is widely recognized that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) influence plant community structure. Several studies in the past few years have focused on the effect of AMF on plant diversity, showing contradictory results. On the basis of studies carried out in grasslands, it has been proposed that these results may not be in conflict but rather depend on mycorrhizal dependence of dominant and subordinate species in the plant community. Here, we propose a simple conceptual model to explain the effect of AMF on plant diversity and dominance hierarchy. Our model suggests that the effect of AMF on plant diversity can be explained mainly by mycorrhizal dependence of subordinates. It also gives predictions for a wider range of community types, and helps in identifying the systems in which empirical data are most critically needed.