The Ecology of Plant-Fungal Symbioses in Extreme Environments: Arbuscular Mycorrhizae in Yellowstone's Thermal Areas

PI: Catherine Zabinski, Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University

The study of extreme environments is important for establishing the limits of life and elucidating mechanisms that enable species to live at the edge of their tolerance for environmental conditions. Our research focuses on a plant-microbe symbiosis, arbuscular mycorrhizae, and the effect of that symbiosis on plant fitness in extreme environments. Arbuscular mycorrhizal effects have been well-studied on plants grown in hospitable environments, but little information is available for species growing in extreme environments. Yellowstone National Park thermal sites are characterized by basic to acidic soils, elevated rooting zone temperatures (up to 57 C), low phosphorous levels, and potentially toxic concentrations of multiple elements. The overall goals for this research are: 1) to measure the effects of mycorrhizae on plant growth in thermal environments; 2) to assess the mechanisms by which mycorrhizae affect plant growth; and 3) to determine whether mycorrhizal fungi occurring in thermal sites are specifically adapted to those sites. In the greenhouse, we will conduct an experiment to measure plant growth when grown in low and high pH soils, either without mycorrhizae or with mycorrhizal fungi isolated from both thermal and non-thermal sites. This will provide us with important information relative to fungal adaptation to site conditions. We will assess mechanisms of mycorrhizal effects through measurements of element concentration in plant tissues. Additionally, we will establish single-species cultures of mycorrhizal fungi from thermal sites, as a necessary precursor to future collaborative research with NASA evolutionary ecologist Ken Cullings.

Contact Information

Mail: Catherine Zabinski
Land Resources and Environmental Sciences
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717
E-mail: Catherine Zabinski
Phone: (406) 994-4227
FAX: (406) 994-3933


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