UPSC Seminar with Adam Frew

Speaker: Adam Frew

Western Sydney University, Australia

Title: Diversity below with outcomes above: What shapes mycorrhizal communities and why it matters for plants

ABSTRACT:

The roots of most terrestrial plants are habitats for communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. Like any habitat, a range of factors influences which species establish there and the ecological roles they play. In this talk, I’ll explore how AM fungal diversity in roots is shaped by host identity, nutrient availability, and interactions with other organisms such as herbivores. I’ll share findings showing that different fungi can have markedly different effects on plant growth, nutrition, and defence, highlighting that not all fungi are functionally equal. By examining both the drivers and consequences of AM fungal diversity, we can gain insights into how belowground communities shape aboveground outcomes, with implications for both ecological understanding and sustainable agriculture.

Contact: Johannes Hanson (Umeå University)