Soil bacterial and fungal communities play different roles in maintaining the ecosystem structure functions. However, these differences, which are related to soil depths, remain unclear subject of this study. We selected six sample plots (20 m × 50 m) a natural Picea crassifolia forest an alpine meadow determine vertical patterns (0~10 cm, 10~20 20~30 30~50 cm) communities, predict their potent...

The development of ectomycorrhizal symbiosis leads to drastic changes in gene expression in both partners. However, little is known about the spatial regulation of symbiosis-regulated genes. Using cDNA array profiling, we compared the levels of expression of fungal genes corresponding to approximately 1,200 expressed sequenced tags in the ectomycorrhizal root tips (ECM) and the connected extrar...

Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze., a native forest tree from Brazil, is under extinction risk. This tree depends on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for growth and development, especially in tropical low-P soils but, despite being a conifer, Araucaria does not form ectomycorrhiza, but only the arbuscular endomycorrhiza. This study aimed at surveying data on the spore density and root coloniza...

Ephemeral roots have essential roles in plant and ecosystem functioning. In forests, roots account for a major component of carbon cycling, yet few studies have examined ranges of root trait variation and how different species vary in root form and function in these communities. Root branching intensity, specific root length (SRL; root length per unit dry mass), root diameter, tissue density, p...

Direct measurement of the carbon (C) 'cost' of mycorrhizas is problematic. Although estimates have been made for arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal symbioses, these are based on incomplete budgets or indirect measurements. Furthermore, the conventional model of unidirectional plant-to-fungus C flux is too simplistic. Net fungus-to-plant C transfer supports seedling establishment in c. 10% of plant ...

One of the most challenging questions faced by ecologists is whether there is a general relationship between biological diversity and ecosystem function. As rates of species extinction appear to be increasing – and evidence has emerged of decreasing biodiversity in plant and microbial communities as a result of air and soil pollution, intensification of agriculture and forestry (Pimm et al. , 1...