The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of gypsum mining on the occurrence and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Soil samples were collected in the rainy and dry periods in four areas of a gypsum mine: native preserved "caatinga" (NC); mine vicinity (MS); reject area (RA); interface between the reject area and an area of "caatinga" degraded by mining (IN). Forty two plant species were identified in these areas; some were not found in both collection periods. Thirty six taxa of AMF were identified: 31 in the rainy and 31 in the dry period, with different species composition. Mining activity reduced diversity of plants and of AMF in the three mining areas when compared to NC. Plant similarity indexes were low between NC and the degraded areas. Similarity among AMF species was lower in the rainy period and between NC and the ones affected by mining. Glomus intraradices, Glomus sp.1 and Paraglomus occultum were the most common AMF, showing tolerance of edaphic conditions in the impacted areas. These species should be further tested in programs of revegetation of similar gypsum mining degraded areas.
degraded area; gypsum; mycorrhiza; taxonomy
