Mycorrhizal, Endophytic and Ecomorphological Status of Tree Roots in the Canopy of a Montane Rain Forest

Abstract

Our investigation provides data on the symbiotic status and the functional morphology of tree fine roots in canopy soils of an upper montane forest in Costa Rica. Canopy roots completely lacked mycorrhizal colonization, but showed a high abundance of endophytic fungi suggesting a reduced ability for nutrient acquisition compared with terrestrial roots.