The composition and structure of macrofungus communities in boreal upland type forests and peatlands in North Karelia, Finland

Abstract

The composition and structure of communities in boreal upland type peatlands in North Karelia, Finland KAUKO SALOContents SALO, K. 1993: The composition and structure of macrofungus communities in boreal upland type forests and peatlands in North Karelia, As part of the 7th Finnish National Forest Inventory (7NFI), a network of permanent sample plots was established in North Karelia, Finland in 1980. All basidiocarps of macrofungi on each sample plot, 100 sq.m in size, were collected, counted, weighed and identified in [1981][1982][1983][1984]. The sample plots represent nutrient-poor mineral soil and peatland site types with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) (sometimes with downy birch, Betula pubescens, on mesic mineral soils and mires) as the dominant tree species. The mires include virgin, recently drained, transitional and old peatland drainage sites. The commercial forests have undergone intensive logging (clear felling and thinning) in the past few years, and some mires have been ditched and fertilized .Altogether 316 species of fungi were determined: 232 species of macrofungi (Polyporales, Boletales, Agaricales, Russulales) representing 61 genera, 73.4% of all mycoflora; 49 species, representing 34 genera, of Aphyllophorales (15.5 %); and other fungi incl. Ascomycotina, 35 species (11. I%), representing 26 genera. The richest genera among the macrofungus species were Cortinarius (27 species), Mycena (19),Russula (16), Lactarius (15), Tricholoma (10), Hygrophorus (9) and Collybia (9). The 316 species of fungi that were identified were classified into three main ecological groups: mycorrhizal species according to their host tree species; saprophytic species (eight fertility groups according to what they usually acted upon); and parasites. Mesic forest site types had more versatile composition of mycorrhizal and saprophytic macrofungus species than did dryish and dry forest site types. Mycorrhizal macrofungus species accounted for more than 40% of all macrofungi in mineral soil forest and peatland site types. Drained peatland site types (especially pine bogs) had more macrofungus species than did virgin mires. TWINSPAN classification and DCA ordination were suitable in analysing the data on the macrofungi. The diversity of the macrofungi in mineral soil forest and peatland site types is discussed.

Macrofungi of oligotrophic Scots pine forests in northern Finland

“…Hintikka (1988) reported 80 stipitate species from pine forests in southern Finland, 7 5% of the mycorrhizal species and 55% of decomposers being the same as in the present study. Salo (1993) identified 232 macrofungi (Polyporales, Boletales, Agaricales, Russulales) from boreal upland forests and peatlands, including birch, pine and spruce forests . About 45% of these species were also found in the present study.…”

“…Studies dealing with the yield of macro fungi were recently briefly reviewed in this journal (Salo 1993) and the information will not be repeated. The yield of macrofungi in northern Finland was measured in Scots pine forests between 1976 and 1978 (Ohenoja & Koistinen 1984), and further south, mainly in the province of Oulu, in 1976Oulu, in -1988 (Ohenoja 1993).…”

Diversity and function of fungi in peatlands: A carbon cycling perspective

“…The generally reported low enzymatic activities of ectomycorrhizal fungi may be an adaptation to a symbiotic life, where the fungus must avoid eliciting host defence responses, which may be caused by extracellular enzymes (Ramstedt and Söderhäll 1983). As it stands, most ectomycorrhizal fungi appear to have limited saprobic capabilities, sufficient to colonize the roots of their hosts, and tend to require their plant hosts for the acquisition of C. Nonetheless, due to the preponderance of ectomycorrhizal fungi in peatlands (Salo 1993;Dhillion 1994;Thormann et al 1999), their combined effect on soil C dynamics at the ecosystem level may be significant (Bending and Read 1997;Read et al 2004). …”

“…Previous surveys of conspicuous epigeous fruiting bodies revealed a great diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi in peatlands (Salo 1993;Dhillion 1994;Thormann et al 1999). Species of Lactarius, Hebeloma, Laccaria, Russula, Tomentella, and Cortinarius are most frequently collected and are associated with the roots of species of Picea, Larix, Salix, and Betula.…”

Aerobic carbon-cycle related microbial communities in boreal peatlands: responses to water-level drawdown

“…These genera include litter or wood saprotrophs and mycorrhizal fungi, which are also an important component of groundwater-driven ecosystems such as fens and wet meadows (Turner et al 2000). A great diversity of ECM fungi was found in peatlands (Salo 1993). These include species of Lactarius, Hebeloma, Laccaria, Russula, Tomentella, and Cortinarius, which are most often collected and associated with the tree roots (e.g., Picea, Larix, Salix and Betula).…”