[Eco-physiological functions of mycorrhizal fungi].

Abstract: Mycorrhizal fungi are an important member of soil microorganisms, not only rich in genetic diversity and species diversity, but also in functional diversity, which mainly manifest in: 1) affecting the origin, evolution, and distribution of terrestrial plants, 2) promoting plant growth and development, 3) enhancing plant tolerance against environmental stress, 4) remedying polluted and degraded soils, 5) promoting agricultural, forestry, and animal husbandry production, and 6) maintaining ecological equilibrium and stabilizing ecosystem and its sustainable productivity. With the development of technique and research, more functions contributed by mycorrhizal fungi would be discovered.

[Colonization and community structural features of AM fungi in urban ecosystem: a review].

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, an important component of soil microbes, are of significance in maintaining the sustainable development of urban ecosystem. This paper summarized the characteristics of the colonization and community structure of AM fungi in urban ecosystems, and discussed the effects of urban ecological factors, e.g., human activities, vegetation re-establishment and maintenance, and urban soil status, on the colonization and community structure. It was considered that the researches on the community structure and function of AM fungi in urban ecosystems, such as the effects and mechanisms of the key urban ecological factors (e.g., water resource shortage and heat island effect) on the alternation of AM fungal community structure should be strengthened in the future.