mycorrhizal fungi in new ecosystems
Increased flourishing of the markets, world trade, tourism expansion, export and import as well as accidental introduction of new plant species along with their mycorrhizal fungi has an ability to act as a threat to the habitats and biodiversity (Wyatt et al., 2014). It may encourage ecosystem degradation at scales of varied sizes. Invasiveness of alien species may potentially impact the mycorrhizal community and structure and functions of the environment in different ways (Manzoor, 2014). The successful adaptation of mycorrhizal fungi can face a number of challenges that may prevent it from settling down and carry out their functions. The factors that may act as a barrier were critically analysed in a range …show more content…
Suppression of native species may result in invasive species succession and expansion of their mycorrhizal fungi onto native plants which may bring imbalance in nutrient exchange. Depending on the mycorrhizal species, some may have very high phosphorus levels that can damage the root system of the plants and even prevent the mutualistic fungi from outcompeting the parasitic alien mycorrhizal fungi (Aerts, 2002). Not only the phosphorus may be the issue, but also the carbon cost. High carbon cost may reduce the ability of the native species to compete and then decrease its performance (Walling and Zabiński 2006; Shah et al. 2009a). This may decrease the plant performance even further and similarly the competitive capability may decrease. When it comes to grazing, the plants, because of their carbon deficiency that was up taken by the mycorrhizal parasitic fungi may be a limiting factor in an ability to repair itself. Herbivore damage, despite the extend of it, causes stress and requires extra nutrients in order to overcome the losses and be able to make up for those (Vanette and Hunter, 2013). The plant requires a lot of nutrients in order to successfully overcome the damage and be able to grow further. In case the mycorrhizal fungi that have colonised plants roots turn into parasitic ones due to the alien species invasion, it may be difficult, even
Increased flourishing of the markets, world trade, tourism expansion, export and import as well as accidental introduction of new plant species along with their mycorrhizal fungi has an ability to act as a threat to the habitats and biodiversity (Wyatt et al., 2014). It may encourage ecosystem degradation at scales of varied sizes. Invasiveness of alien species may potentially impact the mycorrhizal community and structure and functions of the environment in different ways (Manzoor, 2014). The successful adaptation of mycorrhizal fungi can face a number of challenges that may prevent it from settling down and carry out their functions. The factors that may act as a barrier were critically analysed in a range …show more content…
Suppression of native species may result in invasive species succession and expansion of their mycorrhizal fungi onto native plants which may bring imbalance in nutrient exchange. Depending on the mycorrhizal species, some may have very high phosphorus levels that can damage the root system of the plants and even prevent the mutualistic fungi from outcompeting the parasitic alien mycorrhizal fungi (Aerts, 2002). Not only the phosphorus may be the issue, but also the carbon cost. High carbon cost may reduce the ability of the native species to compete and then decrease its performance (Walling and Zabiński 2006; Shah et al. 2009a). This may decrease the plant performance even further and similarly the competitive capability may decrease. When it comes to grazing, the plants, because of their carbon deficiency that was up taken by the mycorrhizal parasitic fungi may be a limiting factor in an ability to repair itself. Herbivore damage, despite the extend of it, causes stress and requires extra nutrients in order to overcome the losses and be able to make up for those (Vanette and Hunter, 2013). The plant requires a lot of nutrients in order to successfully overcome the damage and be able to grow further. In case the mycorrhizal fungi that have colonised plants roots turn into parasitic ones due to the alien species invasion, it may be difficult, even