Nutrient cycling in different terrestrial ecosystems in relation to fungi

Comparisons are made between nutrient cycling systems of arctic tundra, temperate forest, tropical forest, grassland, arable, and desert ecosystems. Detailed nutrient budgets are not given, but general differences between ecosystems are discussed primarily in relation to the role of soil fungi. Gene...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Botany
Main Author: Dighton, John
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1995
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/b95-397
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/b95-397
Description
Summary:Comparisons are made between nutrient cycling systems of arctic tundra, temperate forest, tropical forest, grassland, arable, and desert ecosystems. Detailed nutrient budgets are not given, but general differences between ecosystems are discussed primarily in relation to the role of soil fungi. General discussion reviews the impact of anthropogenic factors, including land management, pollution, and climate change on the role of fungi in nutrient cycling. Areas where further research is needed to complete our understanding of the functional aspects of fungi and nutrient cycling are highlighted and some of the techniques that may be employed are discussed. Key words: nutrient cycling, ecosystems, fungi.