Some occurrences of vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhiza in natural and disturbed ecosystems of the Red Desert

Abstract

Studies have been initiated on the occurrence of vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) in plant communities of revegetated mine spoils and undisturbed areas of the Red Desert of Wyoming. It was found that the majority of plants in undisturbed environments in this area are mycorrhizal. On disturbed sites, no mycorrhiza were encountered. Of interest for both the undisturbed and disturbed communities was the predominance of plants belonging to the family Chenopodiaceae. The major difference between the plant species encountered in each community is associated with their reproductive strategy, as well as whether the plants possessed VAM. The major species encountered on undisturbed sites are Atriplex gardneri, At. confertifolia, Ceratoides lanata, Grayia spinosa, Kochia americana, and Sarcobatus vermiculatus, all possessing mycorrhiza. Halogeton glomeratus predominated in disturbed sites and did not possess VAM. The role of VAM in both succession and reproductive strategies of plants is also discussed.