The study examines the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in arable fields compared to woodlands, highlighting a strikingly low diversity in arable sites despite the broad host range of these fungi. The researchers analyzed roots from five woodland plant species at four sites and compared them with samples from crops on farms. They found that while three families of Glomales were present, the dominant sequence in arable sites was Glomus mosseae, which is not found in woodlands. This suggests that the low diversity in arable fields may be due to agronomic practices such as ploughing, fertilization, or fungicide use rather than plant monoculture. The results indicate that intensive arable agriculture may operate at minimum levels of diversity for key functional groups, potentially affecting ecosystem function and reliability.The study examines the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in arable fields compared to woodlands, highlighting a strikingly low diversity in arable sites despite the broad host range of these fungi. The researchers analyzed roots from five woodland plant species at four sites and compared them with samples from crops on farms. They found that while three families of Glomales were present, the dominant sequence in arable sites was Glomus mosseae, which is not found in woodlands. This suggests that the low diversity in arable fields may be due to agronomic practices such as ploughing, fertilization, or fungicide use rather than plant monoculture. The results indicate that intensive arable agriculture may operate at minimum levels of diversity for key functional groups, potentially affecting ecosystem function and reliability.