Fungi living inside the roots of plants acquire sugars from these plants. The location of the fungi in the roots keep the fungi away from predators and competition, allowing them to thrive.
The fungi break down dead organic matter, allowing the matter to return to the earth and re-enter the life cycle. The fungi also provide phosphorus and nitrogen to the plant through the process of mycorrhiza.
The process of mycorrhiza blocks nutrients from leaving the forest. Mycorrhiza also plays a role in transferring nutrients from one tree to another.
Mycorrhiza increases water and nutrient uptake efficiency. This results from the production of enzymes that impact mineralization and nutrient availability.
Mycorrhiza in an ecosystem increases both the growth of plants in the forest and the hardiness of the reproductive organs of the plants.