To conclude our project „Multiscale effects of disturbance on arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi“ led by David García de León we had a close view to the effects of local disturbance in tropical communities. In particular, we study the effects of clearcutting the rainforest, which caused big changes in the AM fungal communities in French Guiana. We also explored the effects of traditional agricultural management (slash-and-burn), and found small changes in the AM fungal communities of French Guiana when the rainforest was converted into traditional agriculture. If you want to know more about our findings, you can keep reading in this link

On the 6th of June, our dear Lena defended her PhD thesis „The dynamics of plant and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities in grasslands under changing land use“ with flying colours! The oponent of the thesis was professor Catherine Gehring from Northern Arizona University. Lena gave a very exiting talk which was followed by an in-depth discussion and exchange of ideas. After the defence, we indulged ourselves with the lanscapes of Western-Estonia and also visited the study sites of Lena. We are very proud of you Lena! Wunderbar!