To conclude, it is clear that the difference of land use more than
15 centuries ago has durably impacted not only on the soil properties,
but also on the ability of the absorbing roots of the present
oak forest to mobilise nutrients, more specially nitrogen, through
the mediation of their symbiotically associated ECM fungi. This is
consistent with our initial hypothesis. However, the functional
response of the ECM community to the past human occupation
exhibits complex patterns, and a few specialised ECM fungal
species only are involved in the enhancement of two N-mobilising
enzymatic activities near the former Gallo-Roman settlements.