Details of Award
NERC Reference : NER/B/S/2003/00863
Do Mycorrhizal fungi control plant invasion potential
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor A Fitter, University of York, Biology
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor P Young, University of York, Biology
- Grant held at:
- University of York, Biology
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Global Change
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Population Ecology
- Conservation Ecology
- Community Ecology
- Soil science
- Abstract:
- Plants are known to accumulate increasing numbers of specialist herbivores over long periods of co-occurrence. Hence introducing natural enemies can be an effective biological control strategy. Because mutualistic mycorrhizal fungi have been viewed as restricted in diversity and entirely generalist, it has been assumed that introduced species can associate as effectively with indigenous fungi as can native species. Hence, failure to find suitable mycorrhizal partners cannot be an impediment to invasion success. New evidence undermines these assumptions: arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are diverse and exhibit selectivity. We shall therefore measure the diversity of AM fungi colonising the roots of sets of native, invasive, naturalised and cultured species of two contrasting plant genera, one woody and one herbaceous, to test the hypothesis that introduced plant species have fewer mycorrhizal associates and that this may impair their ability to colonise new habitats. The results may provide a new insight into the causes of variation in plant invasion success.
- NERC Reference:
- NER/B/S/2003/00863
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Small Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Small Grants
This grant award has a total value of £30,145
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| £50 | £13,023 | £11,081 | £5,990 |
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