Effect of Deadwood on Ectomycorrhizal Colonisation of Old-Growth Oak Forests

Jacek Olchowik,Marcin Studnicki,Tadeusz Malewski,Roman Mariusz Bzdyk,Dorota Hilszczańska,Zbigniew Borowski

doi:10.3390/f10060480

Jacek Olchowik, Marcin Studnicki + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/f10060480

Copy DOI

Abstract

Although the importance of coarse woody debris (CWD) for species diversity is recognized, the effects of coarse woody debris decay class on species composition have received little attention. We examined how the species composition of ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM) changes with CWD decay. We describe ectomycorrhizal root tips and the diversity of mycorrhizal fungal species at three English oak (Quercus robur L.) sites. DNA barcoding revealed a total of 17 ECM fungal species. The highest degree of mycorrhizal colonization was found in CWDadvanced (27.2%) and CWDearly (27.1%). Based on exploration types, ectomycorrhizae were classified with respect to ecologically relevant soil features. The short distance type was significantly correlated with soil P2O5, while the contact type was correlated with soil C/N. The lowest mean content of soil Corg was found in the CWDabsent site. The difference in total soil N between sites decreased with increasing CWD decomposition, whereas total C/N increased correspondingly. In this study we confirmed that soil CWD stimulates ectomycorrhizal fungi, representing contact or short-distance exploration types of mycelium.

Highlights

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbiosis is a mutualistic association between soil fungi and the roots of the majority of temperate and boreal forest trees [1]
The lowest mean content of Corg was found in CWDabsent (Corg = 2.81%), while higher Corg content was found in CWDadvanced and CWDearly (Corg = 4.47% and 6.79%, respectively)
The highest total nitrogen value was recorded in CWDearly (0.51%), followed by CWDadvanced and CWDabsent, with 0.22% and

Summary

Introduction

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbiosis is a mutualistic association between soil fungi and the roots of the majority of temperate and boreal forest trees [1]. The maintenance of such richness is the result of niche partitioning, because fungal species differ in their abilities to exploit soil resources and display unique habitat preferences [7,8,9,10]. One of the most important issues regarding European oaks is forest decline. Differences in the degree of mycorrhizal colonization are shown in Quercus robur L. stands in relation to disturbances caused by abiotic and biotic factors (health status) [11]. The oak decline phenomenon is a complex disease, caused by several biotic and abiotic factors, often acting synergistically [12,13]. Kovacs et al [14]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion