Seminar: Maret Gerz

The distribution and role of mycorrhizal symbiosis in plant communities

MSc. Maret Gerz (Tartu Ülikool/ University of Tartu) 

Mycorrhizal symbiosis is widespread in plant communities and influences plant diversity and nutrient cycling. The accumulation of empirical environmental and plant mycorrhizal trait data has only recently allowed to uncover the distribution and drivers of mycorrhizal symbiosis at larger scales and address its role in vegetation in more detail. In this seminar, I will talk about the distribution of mycorrhizal symbiosis at regional scale in Estonia and at the continental scale in Europe. In addition, the relationships between mycorrhizal symbiosis and plant diversity will be discussed. Finally, I will address the effects of anthropogenic impact on the prevalence of mycorrhizal symbiosis in plant communities.