Below-Ground Interactions in Ecological Processes

Book excerpt: Aboveground interactions between plants and organisms have served as a foundation of ecological and evolutionary theories. Accumulating evidence suggests that interactions that occur belowground can have immense influence on eco-evolutionary dynamics of plants. Despite the increasing awareness among scientists of the importance of belowground interactions for plant performance and community dynamics, they have received considerably less theoretical and empirical attention compared to aboveground interactions. In this eBook we aim to highlight the overlooked roles of belowground interactions and outline their myriad ecological roles, from affecting soil health through impacting plant interactions with above-ground fauna. This eBook with 18 articles and an Editorial includes conceptual contribution together with original research work. The chapters are exploring the roles of belowground biotic interactions, in the context of ecological processes both below- and above-ground.