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Arbuscular Mycorrhizae in Yellowstone National Park Thermal Soils: Host Plant, Fungal Inoculum, Soil pH, and Elevated temperature Effects on Symbiosis Function: Author: Bunn, Rebecca Anne; Date: 2004-08-15; Program: Land Resources and Environmental Sciences; Abstract: Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) are frequently described as a textbook example of a mutualistic symbiosis between a plant and fungus. However, we now understand that AM fungi are not always beneficial to their host plants. By requiring host plant photosynthate in exchange for potential benefits, the symbiosis varies along a continuum from mutualistic to parasitic. Examining AM function in extreme environments may increase our understanding of how the balance between symbionts is achieved, and if it is altered in the presence of strong abiotic stresses. Thermal soils offer a unique opportunity to s...; Download File | View full details