Ectomycorrhizal colonization of naturally regenerating Pinus sylvestris L. seedlings growing in different micro-habitats in boreal forest

Abstract

We investigated the species richness and composition of ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi colonizing Pinus sylvestris L. seedlings naturally regenerating in boreal forest, in three different microhabitats: on forest ground, on decaying stumps, and within moss layer on erratic boulders. We tested the hypothesis that habitat differences would affect the composition of the EM community of regenerating pine seedlings. In total, 16 EM species were detected, from which none occurred on seedlings growing in all three microhabitats. Piloderma croceum and Cenococcum geophilum were common for seedlings growing in forest ground and on boulders, while Tricholoma aestuans and Suillus luteus were shared between seedlings growing on forest ground and decaying stumps. EM species richness and composition were strikingly different between seedlings regenerating in different microhabitats. Results are discussed as a function of dispersal and niche differentiation of EM fungi.

Girdling Affects Ectomycorrhizal Fungal (EMF) Diversity and Reveals Functional Differences in EMF Community Composition in a Beech Forest

“…This contention is also supported by the observation that tree seedlings grown close to undisturbed trees maintained higher EMF species richness and diversity than those grown close to dead stumps or wood debris (18,34). The community of fungi close to stumps or wood debris was shifted toward EM fungi with saprotrophic features (34), in support of the idea of a biotrophy-saprotrophy continuum of EM fungi (38).…”

The ectomycorrhizal status of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) seedlings from bare-root forest nurseries

“…The low species richness of mycorrhizal symbionts on individual conifer stock samples differs from the mycorrhizal richness and composition of seedlings growing under the canopy of mature trees or seedlings regenerating shortly after clear-cut logging, burning, etc. (Visser, 1995;Jonsson et al, 1999;Kranabetter et al, 1999;Mah et al, 2001;Jones et al, 2003;Cline et al, 2005;Iwań ski and Rudawska, 2007). As shown previously, niche differentiation in soil horizons, host species, and natural nutrient gradients all contribute to the high diversity of EMF in boreal forests (Tedersoo et al, 2008).…”

Natural regeneration in Central-European subalpine spruce forests: Which logs are suitable for seedling recruitment?

“…However, conditions influencing the colonization of logs by mycorrhizal fungi have not been sufficiently studied (but see e.g. Goodman and Trofymow, 1998;Iwań ski and Rudawska, 2007;Lepšová, 2001;Rajala et al, 2011;Tedersoo et al, 2003).…”