ROLE OF MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI IN CARBON SEQUESTRATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Climate change is one of the most significant environmental challenges caused by increasing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂). Soil ecosystems represent a major global carbon reservoir, and microbial communities play a vital role in regulating carbon cycling. Among soil microorganisms, mycorrhizal fungi have gained considerable attention due to their ability to enhance carbon sequestration through plant–fungus symbiosis. Mycorrhizal associations improve plant growth, nutrient acquisition, soil aggregation, and carbon stabilization. This systematic review evaluates the contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM), and other mycorrhizal groups in carbon capture and climate change mitigation. The mechanisms involved include transfer of photosynthetically fixed carbon into fungal biomass, formation of stable soil organic carbon pools, production of glomalin-related soil proteins, and improvement of soil structure. The review also discusses applications, limitations, and future prospects of mycorrhizal biotechnology in sustainable agriculture, forestry, and ecosystem restoration.