Evaluating the impact of land-use change on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) diversity and function

Ephraim Motaroki Menge *

Department of Microbiology, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
 
Review
International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 2023, 10(02), 546–556.
Article DOI: 10.30574/ijsra.2023.10.2.1012
Publication history: 
Received on 24 October 2023; revised on 01 December 2023; accepted on 03 December 2023
 
Abstract: 
The ever-increasing change in land utilization has been acknowledged as a primary factor influencing ecological modifications. These alterations have reignited the interest in understanding the enduring consequences on different soil microorganisms, specifically arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). This study investigates the effects of land-use changes (LUCs) on AMF diversity, highlighting the impact of forest degradation, intensified farming approaches, and urban growth on the structure of the AMF community and its mediated services. Research has found that deforestation leads to a decrease in AMF diversity, thereby intensifying the susceptibility of particular species to habitat degradation. The transformation of natural habitats into cultivated landscapes due to agricultural spiraling driven by the need for food production also impacts the diversity of AMF. Urbanization, an expeditiously advancing modification of land usage, has been found to have the potential to cause the fragmentation and degradation of habitats, thus impacting ecosystem benefits of AMF, such as nutrient cycling and water filtration. These changes can have far-reaching consequences for plant communities, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem functioning. Future research should prioritize the development of management strategies, investigating AMF-mediated ecosystem services, and comprehending fundamental mechanisms governing AMF responses to land-use change. This knowledge can guide sustainable land management practices emphasizing AMF diversity and function conservation.
 
Keywords: 
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; AMF communities; AMF diversity; Deforestation; Urbanization; Agricultural
 
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