Mycorrhizal Ecology (Ecological Studies)

Product Description There is increasing awareness among biologists that mutualistic interactions play a key role in natural communities. One of the best-known examples of a mutualistic interaction is the mycorrhizal symbiosis formed between soil fungi and the majority of plants. These symbioses are present in almost all terrestrial ecosystems and yet, until recently, their contributions to the functioning of those ecosystems have been poorly understood. This multi-authored book gives an overview of recent advances and breakthroughs. The contributions of all the major mycorrhizal types to plant population biology, multitrophic interactions, biological diversity, ecosystem functioning, global change and evolution are given. This volume shows that collaboration in the rhizosphere is essential for plants, microbes, plant communities and ecosystems. It has been written with ecologists in mind, giving them easy access to an understanding of how these important interactions could shape our ecosystems. Review From the reviews:"Taken together, this book offers a valuable state of the art overview about our knowledge on most aspects of mycorrhizal ecology. ... Everybody interested in mycorrhiza should not only have it in his/her bookshelf, but also read it thoroughly." (Journal of Plant Physiology)From the reviews of the hardcover edition"This book will be an important part of any mycorrhizal researcher's bookshelf." (Ecology)"... all the chapters offer not only a good summary of the current research, but also the most exciting achievements and some new perspectives. ... to be recommended to everybody interested in mycorrhizal research." (Mycological Research)"... a comprehensive and detailed account of ecological mycorrhizal aspects. ... This book at an advanced level on mycorrhizae is intended for a specialist audience of researchers and can be firmly recommended to these colleagues and to academic libraries which cover plant ecology." (Journal of Phytopathology)"... the editors should be congratulated for bringing together an excellent selection of informative and well-written chapters." (Mycologist)"This book offers a valuable state of the art overview about our knowledge on most aspects of mycorrhizal ecology. … Everybody interested in mycorrhiza should not only have it in his/her bookshelf, but also read it thoroughly." (Rüdiger Hampp, Journal of Plant Physiology, Vol. 161, 2004)"Marcel van der Heijden and Ian Sanders have assembled a collection of varied and interesting contributions from 36 (mostly) mycorrhizal ecologists. … there’s still a long way to go before mycorrhizal fungi are routinely included in ecological investigations. Perhaps this book can contribute to making that happen. … For those with a keen interest in mycorrhizas or plant or fungal ecology, this is must reading." (Steve Trudell, The Mycophile, Vol. 44 (5), 2003)