Abstract
This chapter focuses on the recent advances on molecular approaches such as internal transcribed spacer-restriction fragment length polymorphism, denaturing or temperature gradient gel electrophoresis and sequencing, and their application to ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal ecology. New techniques that have been developed to investigate soil fungal communities are introduced. The limitations of these techniques are briefly discussed. Some emerging molecular technologies that demonstrate significant potential for ECM ecological research in the future are also discussed.