However, the relatively low AM diversity shows differences according to fungus, habitants and host species involved (Hazard et al., 2013). It seems attributable to functional differences between AM fungi (Maherali and Klironomos, 2007).
For this paper, the plant Lavandula dentata was selected as a representative shrub species from semiarid scrublands in the southeast of Spain. This plant is well-adapted to drought conditions and it was a prevailing plant species growing in the arid zone of study.