Presencia y abundancia de esporas de hongos micorrícicos arbusculares en bosques colombianos según gradiente altitudinal

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) represent an essential component of terrestrial ecosystems due to their ability to establish symbiotic relationships with plant roots, promoting nutrient absorption, water uptake, soil structure, and tolerance to adverse environmental conditions. In Colombia, there is a wide diversity of ecosystems associated with altitudinal gradients that generate variables capable of influencing the distribution and abundance of these microorganisms. However, knowledge regarding the presence and abundance of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) spores in the country's natural forests remains limited. This research aimed to determine the presence and quantify the abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi spores across different Colombian forest ecosystems distributed along altitudinal gradients. To achieve this, representative forests from the Chocó, Valle del Cauca, Tolima, Coffee Axis (Eje Cafetero), and Cundinamarca regions were evaluated, including tropical, premontane, and high-Andean ecosystems with contrasting environmental conditions and varying levels of anthropogenic intervention. The results demonstrated the presence of AMF in all sampled sites, confirming their widespread distribution in Colombian forest soils. Furthermore, it was observed that factors such as organic matter content, moisture availability, microclimatic conditions, and a lower degree of anthropogenic disturbance favor the permanence and functionality of mycorrhizal networks in the soil. These microorganisms stand out as bioindicators of soil quality and the ecological status of ecosystems due to their participation in fundamental processes such as nutrient cycling, soil stability, and the maintenance of ecosystem functionality.