Plant-Microbial Symbioses in Coastal Systems: Their Ecological Importance and Role in Coastal Restoration

Abstract Coastal systems are immensely valuable to humans. They contain unique ecosystems that biodiversity reservoirs and provide key ecosystem services as well a wealth of cultural heritage. Despite their importance humans, many coastal experiencing degradation threatens integrity provisioning services. While much is known about the plant communities associated wildlife in areas, microorganisms represents large knowledge gap. Here we review ecology plant-microbial symbioses systems, including mycorrhizae, nitrogen fixers, endophytes, rhizosphere microbes, pathogens. We focus on four common communities: sand dunes, marshes, mangroves, forests/shrublands. also assess recent research potential for using microbes restoration efforts mitigate anthropogenic impacts. find microbial symbionts largely responsible health plants constituting foundation by affecting establishment, growth, competitive ability, stress tolerance, modulating biogeochemical cycling these stressful systems. Current use augment degraded still very its infancy; however, it holds great promise increasing success coast. Much needed test develop inocula facilitating different This an excellent opportunity collaboration between practitioners ecologists work toward goal enhancing resilience our at time when vulnerable number threats.