Underground Explorers

Mycorrhizal populations play pivotal roles in multiple ecosystem processes. Recent research has linked mycorrhiza strain types to specific functions such as biodiversity conservation, increased carbon sequestration, improved soil fertility and deposition of essential macronutrients. Investigation into arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) diversity in any ecosystem, but especially forestland areas, is an important biological parameter that can be used to conduct assessment of environmental disturbances and inevitable climate stressors. The investigation of indigenous soil mycorrhizae, such as those endemic to the Argan forestlands of Morocco is urgently needed to help inform biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, improvement of environmental tolerance to local conditions, low ecological risk and quick acclimatization to the harsh effects of climate change. This is because biodiversity and mutualistic partnerships among microbial organisms and plant hosts form the basis of stability and resiliency of most ecosystems.

Endemic to Morocco, the argan tree (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) is among the most important trees in Morocco. Research has shown argan forests confer multifaceted benefits, including the ability to preserve ecological stability, enhanced biodiversity conservation, minimized soil erosion, reducing desertification and high socio-economic value (due to the extraction of argan oil). However, the argan ecosystem continues to suffer from rapid and increased deterioration due to the devastating effects of climate change, anthropogenic activities and demographic pressures. Declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve, the arganeraie forestlands hold massive interest in Morocco. Yet, we lack studies of the role of AMF diversity and AMF community composition in Argan forestlands of Morocco. This proposed project aims at using emerging geospatial pipelines to map the mycorrhizal communities of Argan forestlands and determine their abundance, uniqueness (species and/or strains) and diversity. In particular, I am interested in levels of fungal endemism that are associated with this endemic tree. Previous research has shown that exploring local variants of AMF consortia and selecting high performance symbionts can greatly aid in restoration of degraded forestlands, improve biodiversity and conserve important ecosystems. However, we cannot utilize these local communities unless we understand who is there. Ultimately, my aim is to determine the diversity of AMF associated with Argan ecosystems through metabarcoding in order to protect underground mycorrhizal networks in southwest regions of Morocco, especially those in the edapho-climatic zones. It is anticipated that this study will culminate in the generation of qualitative data related to the distribution patterns of specific taxa of these AMFs, which is crucial when it comes to determining the functional roles, specificity of symbiotic relationships and species co-occurrence within the arganeraie tree ecosystem.

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