Geological Survey

Description

Prior research indicates that soil mutualists, in particular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), may be critical to establishment of prairie reconstructions that have the high levels of species richness needed for optimal pollinator habitat; it may be very important to improve the AMF community available in new reconstructions. However major gaps in understanding remain. This study will improve understanding of the value of AMF in improving reconstruction outcomes for the Upper Midwest tallgrass prairie via a tiered approach. In the first tier of work we will evaluate the difference in AMF taxa colonizing roots of plant species collected in high-quality remnant versus reconstructed prairies. Objectives in the first tier of the study are: 1. Identify and compare AMF taxa from roots collected on reconstructions and nearby high- quality remnant prairie of at least 20 plant species used in tallgrass prairie reconstructions in Minnesota and Iowa. a. Determine if plant species that establish poorly or decline in reconstructions consistently have AMF communities that differ from those of the same species that thrive in remnant prairies; this will help us understand which plant species are most likely to be helped by AMF inoculum. 2. Evaluate consistency among AMF communities collected in different geographic locations from species in decline versus those that perform well to assess how local the inoculum needs to be.

Who can apply

• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

Contact

Annie M Howard <br/>Grantor <br/>Phone 3032369323
ahoward@usgs.gov