Is diversity of mycorrhizal fungi important for ecosystem functioning?

From pattern to process: species and functional diversity in fungal endophytes of Abies beshanzuensis

“…that a high degree of functional redundancy exists in saprotrophic fungi (Leake et al 2005;Robinson et al 2005). For mycorrhizal fungi, diverse AMF communities with multifunctionality are often assumed to be of great importance for affecting plant community functioning (Leake et al 2005).…”

“…For mycorrhizal fungi, diverse AMF communities with multifunctionality are often assumed to be of great importance for affecting plant community functioning (Leake et al 2005). Moreover, the significance of fungal specificity in myco-heterotrophs suggests that the extent of functional redundancy is relatively low (Leake et al 2005). That both species composition and diversity are important for the expression of their functions seem plausible.…”

Beyond Mutualism: Complex Mycorrhizal Interactions

“…The expression "mycorrhizal network" suffices to describe the belowground system of the interconnected hyphae of one or more fungal species and the roots of one or more plants of the same or different species. Mycorrhizal networks differ from "mycelial networks," an expression that refers to extraradical mycelium without regard for its mycorrhizal nature (Leake et al 2005).…”

“…Mycorrhizal diversity can affect N acquisition (see review by Leake et al 2005). In mature Q. douglasii EMs, 15 N natural abundance differed by morphotype with δ 15 N values from +0.2 to +4.3 suggesting that EMs accessed different soil N sources, i.e., inorganic N (less 15 N enriched) or organic N (more 15 N enriched).…”