The study of mycorrhizal fungi and their effects on plant community dynamics has largely developed outside of mainstream ecological literature. Despite growing interest its ecological consequences, this symbiosis is still largely a black box for most ecologists. However, recent methodological improvements such as widespread use of DNA-based molecular identification techniques, isotopic tracers of physiological processes, and a growing ability to culture and manipulate mycorrhizal fungi and their hosts in both field and laboratory, have begun to provide some illumination. The goal of this session is to highlight this rapidly growing body of work for ecologists who do not study mycorrhizal fungi and explore how this symbiosis can be better integrated into the general science of ecology. Speakers will address such topics as how different fungal-plant pairings affect ecological interactions with other symbionts, how symbiont diversity affects plant and fungal assemblage structure, and the role of the symbiosis in ecosystem-scale processes such as succession, nutrient cycling, and restoration.