Root-associated fungi of Vaccinium carlesii in subtropical forests of China: intra- and inter-annual variability and impacts of human disturbances.

Yanhua Zhang,Jian Ni,Lifu Sun,Lifen Jiang,Yu Liang,Fangping Tang,Kequan Pei,Yiqi Luo

doi:10.1038/srep22399

Abstract

Ericoid mycorrhiza (ERM) are expected to facilitate establishment of ericaceous plants in harsh habitats. However, diversity and driving factors of the root-associated fungi of ericaceous plants are poorly understood. In this study, hair-root samples of Vaccinium carlesii were taken from four forest types: old growth forests (OGF), secondary forests with once or twice cutting (SEC I and SEC II), and Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation (PLF). Fungal communities were determined using high-throughput sequencing, and impacts of human disturbances and the intra- and inter-annual variability of root-associated fungal community were evaluated. Diverse fungal taxa were observed and our results showed that (1) Intra- and inter-annual changes in root-associated fungal community were found, and the Basidiomycota to Ascomycota ratio was related to mean temperature of the sampling month; (2) Human disturbances significantly affected structure of root-associated fungal community of V. carlesii, and two secondary forest types were similar in root-associated fungal community and were closer to that of the old growth forest; (3) Plant community composition, edaphic parameters, and geographic factors significantly affected root-associated fungal communities of V. carlesii. These results may be helpful in better understanding the maintenance mechanisms of fungal diversity associated with hair roots of ERM plants under human disturbances.

Highlights

Plants of Ericaceae distribute all over the world, and are common species especially in habitats of heathlands, tundra, and forests[1]
Different mycorrhizal and soil fungi, such as AMF in a tropical dry ecosystem in Mexico[31], Ericoid mycorrhiza (ERM) fungi in peatland sites in Ireland[12], and soil fungi in southeast Asian tropical forests[32], were investigated and the results suggested that human-activity-induced changes in plant community and abiotic environments were very important in shaping fungal community compositions at the landscape scale
As a common understory species in subtropical forests, V. carlesii was found in all four forest types along the disturbance gradient, e.g., old growth forests (OGF, without human disturbance at least 100 years), secondary forests with once clear-cut (SECI, about 50 years ago) and twice cut (SECII, clear-cut about 50 years ago, selected cut about 20 years ago), and Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation (PLF, clear-cut and planted Cunninghamia lanceolata about 20 years ago) (Fig. S1)

Summary

Introduction

Plants of Ericaceae distribute all over the world, and are common species especially in habitats of heathlands, tundra, and forests[1]. Fungal community changes have been observed in seasonality and in inter-annual variations[25] These inter-annual variations may be related to both succession of plant communities and inter-annual climatic factors. Different mycorrhizal and soil fungi, such as AMF in a tropical dry ecosystem (primary forests, secondary forests and pastures) in Mexico[31], ERM fungi in peatland sites (bog, rough grazing and forest plantation) in Ireland[12], and soil fungi in southeast Asian tropical forests (original forests, secondary forests and oil palm agriculture)[32], were investigated and the results suggested that human-activity-induced changes in plant community and abiotic environments were very important in shaping fungal community compositions at the landscape scale

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion