Underground Explorers

The Seychelles is an archipelago comprising several unique and ecologically significant sites: Vallée de Mai on Praslin, home to the world’s largest intact coco de mer forest and five other endemic palm species; Aldabra Atoll, one of the world’s largest raised coral atolls with significant mangrove forests and seabird colonies; and Mahé, where the critically endangered jellyfish tree can be found. However, there is limited data on mycorrhiza in the soils of these ecosystems. Soil samples will be collected and analysed using metabarcoding, in collaboration with the University of Oxford, to investigate mycorrhizal associations in these key endemic plant species to understand their role in nutrient uptake and ecosystem dynamics. Specifically, this project aims to assess: a) mycorrhizal associations and their contribution to nutrient uptake in coco de mer trees that thrive in nutrient-poor soils; b) mycorrhizal associations with mangrove and terrestrial plants in seabird nutrient-enriched areas on Aldabra; and c) mycorrhizal associations with the jellyfish tree and their role in nutrient uptake.