Dead wood diversity promotes fungal diversity

Abstract

Dead wood is a source of life as it provides habitat and substrate for a wide range of fungal species. A growing number of studies show an important role of wood quality for fungal diversity, but in most cases for a limited number of wood traits or tree species. In this study, we evaluate how abiotic and biotic factors affect the fungal diversity and composition during dead wood decomposition. For ten common European tree species, fresh similar‐sized logs were incubated simultaneously in two Dutch forests. Annual surveys of fungal fruiting bodies were made for an 8‐year period. For each tree species, 20 fresh stem traits were measured that are important for chemical and physical defence and for nutritional quality. Throughout eight years, 4644 fruiting bodies belonging to 255 species and 90 genera were recorded on the logs of ten tree species. Fungal frequency and richness were higher for Angiosperms than for Gymnosperms, both for individual tree species and as a group, and higher for tree species with more acquisitive stem trait strategies (i.e. high nutritional value and low physical defence). Differences in fungal communities were strongly driven by phylogenetic group (Gymnosperms versus Angiosperms), stem traits, decay time and forest sites, together explaining 23% of the variation. Fungal communities in sandy site diverged early in the decay process but converged later because of substrate homogenization. Of the 128 fungal species included in the analyses, 41% showed a preference for specific tree species and 34% for a specific successional year. In conclusion, dead wood quality, determined by tree species and decay stage, is an important driver of fungal diversity. For forest management, promoting a wide array of dead tree species (especially angiosperm species), a range of stem trait values and decay stages will increase fungal and, thereby, forest biodiversity.

Lower alpha, higher beta, and similar gamma diversity of saproxylic beetles in unmanaged compared to managed Norway spruce stands

“…There were mixed results for the three feeding guilds, although largely not consistent with prediction 8. For the fungivores, which did not differ between the forest types, the prediction PLOS ONE presumed a substantially higher dead wood diversity and associated fungal diversity [106] in the WKHs, which seems not to have been the case. It is possible that the fine woody debris commonly left after thinning supports a relatively diverse and overlooked fungal diversity [107].…”

Stem Trait Spectra Underpin Multiple Functions of Temperate Tree Species

“… Zobel and Van Buijtenen, 2012 ), probably because the large vessels of ring-porous species are embedded in a matrix of thick-walled fibers that increase wood density ( Zobel and Van Buijtenen, 2012 ). The lower wood density of poplar indicated its weaker wood defense, but poplar may compensate for its weakly defended wood by increasing its bark physical defense as indicated by the higher bark lignin concentration and thicker bark ( Yang et al, 2021 ). Oak also stood out in chemical defense by high phenols and tannin concentrations in its heartwood, which contributes to its longevity.…”

Macrofungal conservation in Canada and target species for assessment: a starting point

“…Firstly, assessments can target specific habitats (e.g., Carolinian forest in Ontario and the Okanagan valley in British Columbia). Some species are likely limited to threatened habitats, for example sand dunes or old growth forests (Ruokolainen et al 2018;Yang et al 2021), but data are limited for threatened habitats and the species inhabiting them. One drawback of this specific approach in Canada is that it is often restricted to species that are at the edge of their northern range, making their habitat very limited.…”