Ectomycorrhizal mats alter forest soil biogeochemistry

Kluber, Laurel A.; Tinnesand, Kathryn M.; Caldwell, Bruce A.; Dunham, Susie M.; Yarwood, R. R.; Bottomley, Peter J.; Myrold, David D.

doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2010.06.001

Cited by 47 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…The community composition of mat soils was once thought to be dominated by single species of EM fungi but there is now evidence provided by molecular analyses that these communities are more diverse and may be formed by over 20 EM species (Dunham et al, 2007). Because of the large amount of aggregated biomass, EM fungal mats significantly alter the biogeochemistry of the area they inhabit (Kluber et al, 2010). The decomposition of these mat structures remain unexamined but are likely influenced by many of the chemical properties discussed above as well as unique physical aspects of the mat structures themselves.…”

Section: Rhizomorphs Cords and Matsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The decomposition of ectomycorrhizal fungal necromass

Fernandez¹,

Langley

Chapman

et al. 2016

Soil Biology and Biochemistry

175

109

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a b s t r a c tThe turnover of ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungal biomass represents a significant input into forest carbon (C) and nutrient cycles. Given the size of these fluxes, understanding the factors that control the decomposition of this necromass will greatly improve understanding of C and nutrient cycling in ecosystems. Recent research has highlighted the considerable variation in the decomposition rates of EM fungal necromass, and patterns from this research are beginning to emerge. In this article we review the research that has examined both intrinsic and extrinsic factors that control the decomposition of EM fungal necromass and propose additional factors that may strongly influence EM fungal necromass decomposition and ecosystem properties. We argue that, as with most plant litters, the stoichiometry (C:N) of EM necromass is an important factor governing decomposition, but its role is modulated by the nature of the C and N in the tissue. In particular, melanin concentration appears to negatively influence the quality of EM fungal necromass much as lignin does in plant litters. Other intrinsic factors such as the morphology of the mycelium may also play a large role and suggest this as a focus for future research. Extrinsic factors, such as decomposer community activity and physical protection by soil, are also likely to be important in governing the decomposition of ectomycorrhizal necromass in situ. Finally, we highlight the potential importance of EM fungal necromass diversity and abundance in influencing terrestrial biogeochemical cycles. Understanding the factors that control the decomposition of EM necromass will then improve the predictive power of next-generation terrestrial biosphere models.

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Section: Rhizomorphs Cords and Matsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The decomposition of ectomycorrhizal fungal necromass

Fernandez¹,

Langley

Chapman

et al. 2016

Soil Biology and Biochemistry

175

109

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…EcM mats in the Douglas-fir forests of Western Oregon have been the subjects of a series of studies spanning thirty years, and have been shown to have distinct biological and chemical characteristics compared to adjacent soils without obvious mat development (non-mat soils). Mat characteristics include elevated levels of dissolved nitrogen and carbon, higher enzymatic activity, unique microbial communities, and elevated respiration rates in lab incubations (Griffiths et al, 1994;Griffiths and Caldwell, 1992;Kluber et al, 2010). Because EcM mats can be abundant, their high metabolic activity could contribute substantially to total forest soil respiration, especially in late seral stands (Griffiths et al, 1996;Dunham et al, 2007;Smith et al, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous work indicates the presence or absence of mat-forming fungi has fewer confounding correlates than comparisons of bulk soil with hyphal exclosures. Rhizomorphic mats in the organic soil horizon have shown similar soil water content and root abundance as nonmat soils (Griffiths et al, 1990;Kluber et al, 2010). Recent molecular analyses of mat and non-mat soils also showed that non-mat soils are not devoid of fungi, but rather may be dominated by non-rhizomorphic fungi, including both EcM and saprotrophic fungi, that are less visible to the naked eye (Kluber et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contributions of ectomycorrhizal fungal mats to forest soil respiration

et al. 2012

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Abstract. Distinct aggregations of fungal hyphae and rhizomorphs, or "mats", formed by some genera of ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi are common features of soils in coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest. We measured in situ respiration rates of Piloderma mats and neighboring non-mat soils in an old-growth Douglas-fir forest in western Oregon to investigate whether there was higher respiration from mats, and to estimate mat contributions to total soil respiration. We found that areas where Piloderma mats colonized the organic horizon often had higher soil surface flux than non-mats, with the relative increase in respiration averaging 16% across two growing seasons. Both soil physical factors and biochemistry were related to the higher surface flux of mat soils. When soil moisture was high, soil CO2 production was concentrated into near-surface soil horizons where mats tend to colonize, resulting in greater apparent differences in respiration between mat and non-mat soils. Respiration rates were also correlated with the activity of chitin-degrading soil enzymes. This finding supports the notion that the abundance of fungal biomass in EcM mats is an important driver of C and N cycling. We found Piloderma mats present across 57% of the exposed soil, and use this value to estimate a respiratory contribution from mats at the stand-scale of about 9% of total soil respiration. The activity of EcM mats, which includes both EcM fungi and microbial associates, appeared to constitute a substantial portion of total soil respiration in this old-growth Douglas-fir forest.

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“…to minimize the C inputs and turnover, by removing vegetation and other fungus populations from their brülés (Benucci et al, 2011;García-Montero et al, 2014a;Mello et al, 2011Mello et al, , 2013Napoli et al, 2010). Gryndler et al (2013) found that the concentration of T. aestivum mycelia in soil is high compared to other ectomycorrhizal fungi, but the concentration of extraradical mycelium in the soil of T. aestivum (Gryndler et al, 2011(Gryndler et al, , 2013 and T. melanosporum (Parladé et al, 2013) brülés cannot be compared with the soil densely colonised by ECM-mat fungi (covering up to 40% of the soil surface), showing increased TOC (total organic carbón) and N valúes in mat soils compared to non-mat soils (Cromack et al, 1988;Kluber et al, 2010). Therefore, a decrease in soil organic matter content and increase in soil pH inside T. aestivum brülés, together with other factors associated with the reduction of plant cover (such as variations in soil moisture content, temperature and luminosity), could negatively affect the soil fauna in the brülés.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cromack et al (1988) showed increased TOC (total organic carbón) and N valúes in ECM-mat soils compared to non-mat soils. Kluber et al (2010) indícate that ECM-mat soils show greater microbial biomass C (in mineral horizon) and enzyme profile differences (greater chitinase, phosphatase and phenoloxidase activity) compared to non-mat soils, and from 2.7 to 40 times more oxalate and lower pH than non-mat soils. Cromack et al (1988) studied the interactions between soil fauna and some ECM mats and demonstrated that mites and springtails (and others, such as nematodes) are more abundant within ECM-mat-colonized soil compared to non-mat forest soils.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%