Repositorio Digital

Resumen en español

Societal Impact StatementMycorrhizal associations are acknowledged as key components of global ecosystem functioning. This is especially relevant in the context of global change, since they contribute to the amelioration of adverse soil conditions and play crucial roles in ag-riculture. Generally speaking, the lay public is uninformed on the importance of myc-orrhizal fungi and symbiosis to our planet. Therefore, mycorrhizal scientific outreach activities are of paramount importance in order to bridge the aforementioned gap. We think that informing people about the benefits of mycorrhizal fungi and symbiosis in the face of global change, will raise general awareness of relevant research and aid conservation efforts.SummaryScience outreach has become a particularly important duty in shortening the knowledge gap between scientists and the public, in order to strengthen societal decision- making power in the global change crisis. Mycorrhizal fungi and mycor-rhizal symbioses are key components of terrestrial ecosystems that contribute significantly to endure and reduce certain negative global change effects. Their importance has been gaining recognition in academic circles, but not among the general public. The aim of this article is to encourage as many mycorrhizal fungi re-searchers around the world as possible to build, through science outreach, a bridge between their scientific work and public interest. To this end, we conducted a re-view and discussed the relationship between global change and the mycorrhizal symbiosis. We highlight potential audiences, tools, resources, activities, outreach models, pros and cons, as well as the quantification potential for the outreach ac-tivities success. We extend an invitation to all mycorrhizologists around the world to contribute with mycorrhizal outreach material. Contributions will become avail-able on the South American Mycorrhizal Research Network website for individuals or organizations interested in starting or innovating in mycorrhizal science out-reach activities. Finally, the hashtag #mycorrhizalscienceoutreach is proposed to be used whenever a mycorrhizal fungi- related science outreach activity is shared in social media.