Ecological and evolutionary consequences of plant–fungal invasions

As human activities increasingly alter the distribution and relative dominance of plant and soil fungal communities through introductions and management, it is becoming critical to understand the consequences of these changes for biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Although some case studies demonstrate that introduced plants and fungi bring highly novel traits into ecosystems, relatively little is known about the broad biogeographic patterns, ecological/evolutionary dynamics, and ecosystem/biogeochemical consequences of such introductions. We are aware of numerous individual projects on major plant–fungal co-invasions, and a recent paper (‘The emerging science of linked plant–fungal invasions’ by Dickie et al., New Phytol., 215:1314–1332) made important contributions to a conceptual framework. This international symposium will build on this foundation, allowing a synthesis of results to date by identifying common themes/goals, developing collaborations across native/introduced ranges, and leveraging a global network to identify questions of large geographic scope.

View a showcase of recent research published in New Phytologist, which will be of interest to delegates at the 45th New Phytologist Symposium and anyone working in the field of plant–fungal invasions.