Mycorrhiza-forming fungi as bioindicators of air pollution

Abstract

As stated e. g. by Dorfelt and Braun (1980) in the case of mycorrhiza-forming fungi and by Mejstřik (1980) in the case of mycorrhizal roots, the ectotrophic symbiosis is a very sensitive bioindicator of air pollution, probably more sensitive than the tree shoot growth (Stroo and Alexander, 1985). In our opinion regarded changes in the occurrence and abundance of ectomycorrhiza-forming fungi may be not only as symptoms of mycorrhiza vitality but also as patterns for evaluation of the degree of disturbance of ectotrophic stability. Furthermore various types of forests have their specific highly sensitive fungal bioindicators of air pollution. As fas as spruce climax forests are concerned Russula mustelina Fr. can be designated as such a bioindicator. Its presence and abundance are in correlation with progressive phases of pauperisation of mycorrhizal mycocoenoses host spruce forests and their decline.