Saprotrophic mycelial cord abundance, length and survivorship are reduced in the conversion of tropical cloud forest to shaded coffee plantation

Abstract

One of the most conspicuous soil elements of the tropical cloud forest in central Veracruz, mycelial cord-forming fungi, is strongly affected by the conversion of forest into shaded coffee plantations. Mycelial cord-forming fungi are less abundant, smaller and have a sharper mortality rate in shaded coffee plantations than in relatively conserved forest sites. I present evidence that suggests that changes in soil microenvironmental conditions affect the abundance of mycelial cord forming fungi. These results lend further support to growing evidence that the biodiversity of the understorey and soil are not being conserved within shaded coffee plantations. This contrasts markedly with other studies that suggest that over storey biota is effectively conserved by this conversion.