Harnessing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities for ecological restoration: a conceptual framework

Abstract

Harnessing plant-beneficial microbes, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, holds great potential as a nature-based solution for ecological restoration. However, despite relentless efforts to propagate, stimulate, enrich, or engineer AM fungal communities, their effectiveness in restoration practices remains uncertain. To help solve this problem, we propose a conceptual framework that integrates three key components: pre-restoration assessment, strategic inoculation, and establishing an ecological support system (ESS) to enhance and sustain AM fungal functionality. As the core of this framework, the ESS focuses on selecting mycotrophic plants, managing key biotic interactions involving AM fungi and improving the soil environment, so as to promote the co-development of the plant-AM fungi-soil microbiota ternary system. These guidelines are intended to ensure the applicability and sustainability of AM fungal management in restoration practices. We further advocate for conserving soil microbial biodiversity and for integrating core microbiomes with AM fungi to ensure the success of ecological restoration efforts.