Above-ground herbivory causes rapid and sustained changes in mycorrhizal colonization of grasses

ALAN C. GANGE and James A. Wearn

(2007)

ALAN C. GANGE and James A. Wearn (2007) Above-ground herbivory causes rapid and sustained changes in mycorrhizal colonization of grasses. Oecologia, 153 (4). pp. 959-971. ISSN 0029-8549

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Abstract

This study investigated the effects of grazing by rabbit and insect herbivores on root-colonization of grasses by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in two lowland grasslands in southern England, UK. A temporal assessment from grazing exclosures was also made. Root samples from three grass species at each site were analyzed in terms of total mycorrhizal colonization and proportional colonization by individual mycorrhizal structures. Colonization was increased by moderate levels of rabbit grazing at both sites. The change was fast, consistent throughout the sampled field plots, and temporally sustainable. There was no significant effect of insect herbivory on total colonization but proportional colonization by different AM structures was affected on some sample dates where vertebrate herbivores had been removed, indicating a herbivore-dependent effect on the degree of benefit within the plant-fungal partnership. The results suggest that the type of herbivore and defoliation intensity to which plants are subjected are key determinants of below-ground effects upon mycorrhizal-host plant symbiosis. This information has strong implications regarding restoration and management of grassland ecosystems.

Information about this Version

This is a Draft version
This version's date is: 10/2007
This item is peer reviewed

Link to this Version

https://repository.royalholloway.ac.uk/items/65035898-b910-4e1a-a91c-2845f6930a90/1/

Item TypeJournal Article
TitleAbove-ground herbivory causes rapid and sustained changes in mycorrhizal colonization of grasses
AuthorsGANGE, ALAN
Wearn , James
Uncontrolled Keywordsarbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, grassland, grazing, insect, rabbit
DepartmentsFaculty of Science\Biological Science

Identifiers

doi10.1007/s00442-007-0789-9

Deposited by Al Dean (ZSRA118) on 22-Mar-2010 in Royal Holloway Research Online.Last modified on 15-Dec-2010

Notes

(C) 2007 Springer Verlag , whose permission to mount this version for private study and research is acknowledged. The repository version is the author's final draft.

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