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Due to the fact that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) provide water and elements (e.g. phosphorus) to the host, arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) is considered to be an important plant-fungi interaction and can be helpful for plants occupying extreme habitats. Such habitats include Central European semi-natural dry feathergrass grasslands. One of the main components of feathergrass steppes in Eurasia is Stipa pennata (Poaceae). Currently, because of a lack of land use leading to the overgrowth of grasslands and consequently to habitat deterioration, this species is rare and protected in many European countries. No information regarding the simultaneous impact of vegetation, topography, soil and climatic factors on the AMF–feathergrass relationship has been published to date. Thus, the aim of our study was to investigate factors that shape AMF root colonisation and AMF community composition in different types of European semi-natural feathergrass niches occupied by S. pennata. To do that, we collected roots and soil samples along with data about topography, soil chemical and physical properties, climate and vegetation cover from three different types of edaphic niches. We found that AMF root colonisation was lower in sand than in gypsum or limestone soils and was largely explained by environmental factors. AMF root colonisation degree was predominantly influenced by soil nitrogen content, and increased along with pH. Soil physical stress disrupted relationships between AMF root colonisation degree and soil pH. The largest percentage of variance in the composition of AMF communities was explained by soil factors, followed by climate, topography and vegetation. AMF communities associated with S. pennata were composed mainly of ‘generalists’ species.

Valuable habitats in various spatial configurations are essential for maintaining biodiversity across highly fragmented urban landscapes. In a large-scale study, we explored the value of human-made structures - river levees - as valuable habitats that support large populations of plants and butterflies and affects the spatial turnover of species within an urban landscape. The most significant environmental variables affecting plant and butterfly populations on levees were also examined. The richness of native plant species was about 25% greater on levee transects than on control grassland transects. However, the richness and abundance of butterflies on levees were the same as on grassland sites. Among environmental factors, urban area cover negatively affected the richness of native plant species. Shrub cover decreases the richness and abundance of butterfly species. In addition, high mowing intensity had a negative influence on abundance. Community dissimilarity of plants on levees was affected by spatial variables. Our study is the first to highlight levees as significant habitats for plant and herbivorous insect persistence, and their potential function for plant dispersal.