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"Mycorrhizae and changing climate refers to the effects of climate change on mycorrhizae, a fungus which forms an endosymbiotic relationship between with a vascular host plant by colonizing its roots, and the effects brought on by climate change. Climate change is any lasting effect in weather or temperature. It is important to note that a good indicator of climate change is global warming, though the two are not analogous . However, temperature plays a very important role in all ecosystems on Earth, especially those with high counts of mycorrhiza in soil biota.

Mycorrhizae are one of the most widespread symbioses on the planet, as they form a plant-fungal interaction with nearly eighty percent of all terrestrial plants. The resident mycorrhizae benefits from a share of the sugars and carbon produced during photosynthesis, while the plant effectively accesses water and other nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, crucial to its health. This symbiosis has become so beneficial to terrestrial plants that some depend entirely on the relationship to sustain themselves in their respective environments. The fungi are essential to the planet as most ecosystems, especially those in the Arctic, are filled with plants that survive with the aid of mycorrhizae. Because of their importance to a productive ecosystem, understanding this fungus and its symbioses is currently an active area of scientific research.

The effect of climate on plants and mycorrhizae[edit]
There are various effects that a changing climate can have on the numerous species found within an ecosystem. This includes plants and their symbiotic relations. As it is understood, any particular mycorrhiza is expected to be both present and abundant in any of its respective niches so long as the environment can support its growth. However, sustainable environments are becoming uncommon due to the effects of a warming, changing climate. It is important to note that the relationship between the vascular host plant and mycorrhizae is mutualistic. This means global environmental change first affects the host plant, which in turn impacts the mycorrhizae in a very similar way. Essentially, if the host plant experiences environmental stress, this will be passed along to the mycorrhizae, which could have negative consequences .

Arbuscular mycorrhizae, the most common form of mycorrhizae which are widespread "essential components of soil biota in natural and agricultural ecosystems" , are used as a benchmark for the impacts of climate change on mycorrhizae in the following sections.

Mycorrhizae in Arctic Regions

While it may seem like a barren landscape, the Arctic is actually home to huge populations of animals, plants, and fungi. The plants in these regions depend on their relationship with mycorrhizae, and without it, would not fare as well as they do in such harsh conditions. In Arctic regions, nitrogen and water are harder for plants to obtain as the ground is frozen, which makes mycorrhizae crucial to their fitness, health, and growth.

Climate change has been recognized to affect Arctic regions more drastically than non-Arctic regions, a process known as Arctic Amplification. There seem to be more positive feedback loops than negative occurring in the Arctic as a result of this, which causes faster warming and further unpredictable change that will affect its ecosystems. Since mycorrhizae tend to do better in cooler temperatures, warming could have a detrimental effect on overall health of colonies.

Since these ecosystems offer soil with sparse, easily accessed nutrients, it is critical for shrubs and other vascular plants to obtain such nutrients through their symbiosis with mycorrhiza. If these relationships are placed under too much stress, a positive feedback loop could occur causing a decrease in the terrestrial plant and fungi populations because of harsher and potentially drier environments.