Submerged half of the hidden kIngdom: Mycorrhizal fungal diversity in mangrove ecosystems across contrasting marine coastlines in the United Arab EmIrates

Amit Kumar
Amit Kumar
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Cohort:
2024
project abstract

This research investigates the fungal diversity with special emphasis on mycorrhizal fungal diversity, within the dominant mangrove species in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Despite their significance, mangrove ecosystems along the UAE coasts are often overlooked as ecological hotspots, however, they play important ecological and cultural roles while contributing to climate change mitigation. Through a comprehensive examination of fungal communities across diverse habitats characterized by varying environmental conditions, the project aims to understand the ecological adaptations and compositions of mycorrhizal fungi within these ecosystems. Furthermore, the study aims to identify core mycorrhizal fungal taxa that may be conserved across different environments, providing crucial clues for conservation strategies.