root-associated microbes on invasive maples

In this study, we examined the community composition of three microbial groups (bacteria, fungi and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)) on the roots of the invasive Norway maple and native sugar maple. We showed that the bacterial and fungal communities varied between the two species, but no differences were found with AMF. Given that plant-associated microbial communities can affect host fitness and function in many ways; the observed differences suggest a possibility that biotic interactions can influence the dynamics between native and invasive species.