Underground Explorers

This research project explores the diversity and composition of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) in forest and savanna ecosystems in Eastern Rwanda that have been restored through the Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) approach. A total of 48 soil samples will be collected from two study sites: the Ibanda-Makera forest in Kirehe District and the Nyagatare savanna in Nyagatare District. The Ibanda-Makera site includes three distinct plots representing restored, degraded, and natural forest conditions. In contrast, the Nyagatare savanna site consists of three plots located at varying altitudes. Using high-throughput DNA metabarcoding of the ITS2 region and Illumina MiSeq sequencing, we aim to characterize AMF communities across varied vegetation types and restoration histories. We hypothesize that AMF diversity will vary significantly across Ibanda-Makera plots due to differences in vegetation and land use, while Nyagatare plots will exhibit more similar AMF compositions given their shared vegetation and management. Additionally, we expect AMF differences between restored savanna and restored forest plots. This research will generate essential baseline data on soil fungal biodiversity in Rwanda, inform restoration practices, and contribute to global understanding of AMF diversity, particularly in tropical regions that are often underrepresented in such studies.