Reflection Paper
The article entitled “Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Diversity in Selected Heavy Metal
Contaminated Soils in Owerri, Nigeria”—which we were tasked to reflect upon—delves into the
vital role that Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi play in maintaining ecological balance. The
article thoroughly explains the importance of AM fungi in both plant health and soil quality,
particularly in environments burdened with heavy metal contamination.
Through our reading and discussion, we came to a collective realization that AM fungi
serve as an indispensable component of ecosystem sustainability. According to Ayub et al.
(2020), arbuscular mycorrhizae are symbiotic fungi with unique morphological and genomic
characteristics. These fungi are asexual and obligate, meaning they require a host plant to
survive and complete their life cycle. Douds and Millner (1999) also emphasized that AM fungi
form mutualistic relationships with the roots of plants, allowing for better nutrient exchange
and contributing to plant resilience.
It is due to these specialized characteristics that AM fungi are able to play such a pivotal
role in both plant and soil ecosystems. One group member pointed out how AM fungi
significantly support plant growth by reducing various stresses that hinder development. These
fungi help detoxify organic and inorganic pollutants in the soil, creating a more favorable
environment for plants. Furthermore, by researching additional sources, she discovered that AM
fungi act like symbiotic extensions of plant roots, mainly providing essential nutrients such as
phosphorus, which are crucial for plant growth (Powell & Rillig, 2018).
Zhang et al. (2010) also stated that AM fungi are key components of nearly all terrestrial
ecosystems. Most plants depend on them to survive harsh environmental conditions and to
remain productive, especially in degraded or contaminated soils. This reinforces the idea that
without AM fungi, many ecosystems would struggle to remain functional and fertile.
Another group member was particularly struck by the fungi’s vital role in soil restoration.
Soil degradation, one of the major environmental issues we face today, significantly threatens
ecosystem balance. As Nunes et al. (2020) define it, soil degradation is the natural or
human-induced decline in soil quality, which ultimately disrupts essential ecological functions.
To counteract this, preserving and rehabilitating soil health is imperative. Nwoko (2018)
