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Epigeous fruiting bodies of ectomycorrhizal fungi as indicators of soil fertility and associated nitrogen status of boreal forests

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Abstract

Soil fertility and associated nitrogen (N) status was a key ecosystem attribute, and surveys of ectomycorrhizal fungal (EMF) communities via epigeous fruiting bodies could provide an effective biotic indicator of forest soil productivity. We explored the utility of aboveground EMF communities in this regard by surveying sporocarps over a 3-year period from contrasting plant associations of southern old-growth boreal forests of British Columbia (Canada). Cumulative richness ranged from 39 to 89 EMF species per plot (0.15 ha) and followed a skewed parabolic correlation with foliar N concentrations and soil N availability. EMF species composition was consistently distinct in ordinations and strongly correlated to the increasing rates of N mineralization aligned with soil productivity. Approximately 40 EMF species were specialists, as they collectively indicated oligotrophic, mesotrophic, and eutrophic nutrient regimes, while the remaining species were categorized as broadly tolerant (distributed over 100% of the N gradient), partially intolerant (approximately 70%), or satellites (rare). The functional organization of EMF communities reflected by distribution classes could help define the ecological integrity of forests, which was characterized in this boreal landscape by an average allotment of 20 broadly tolerant, 25 partially intolerant, 15 specialist, and ten satellite species per plot. Epigeous fruiting bodies provided a disparate yet complementary view to the belowground assessment of EMF communities that was valuable in identifying indicators for ecosystem monitoring.

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Acknowledgments

Many thanks to Michelle Seidl for traveling to Smithers to work with the two lead authors on Cortinarius taxonomy. We also thank Sabina Copley and Marcel Lavigne for providing logistical support in vehicles and accommodation in undertaking the sporocarp surveys. Emma Harrower and Adam Cappuchino undertook the ITS analysis of Cortinarius vouchers at UBC Vancouver under the direction of Mary Berbee. Michaela Byrne of UBC Okanagan undertook the ITS analysis of the other fungal genera under the direction of Dan Durall. Will MacKenzie provided the nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis, while Peter Ott and Wendy Bergerud were consulted on the statistical analysis. Clive Dawson and Dave Dunn of the B.C. Ministry of Forests Analytical Laboratory undertook the soil N and foliar chemical analysis. Funds for the research project were provided by the Forest Investment Account of British Columbia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range, 4300 North Rd, Victoria, BC, Canada, V8Z 5J3

    J. M. Kranabetter

  2. Jodi Friesen Ecological Consulting, P.O. Box 15, Site F, Hazelton, BC, Canada, V0J 1Y0

    J. Friesen

  3. Mycology Resources, P.O. Box 2603, Clearbrook Station, Abbotsford, BC, Canada, V2T 6R4

    S. Gamiet

  4. 395 E 40th Ave, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5W 1M1

    P. Kroeger

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  1. J. M. Kranabetter
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  2. J. Friesen
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  3. S. Gamiet
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  4. P. Kroeger
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Correspondence to J. M. Kranabetter.

Appendix

Appendix

Table 3 Mean abundance (% frequency in brackets) of EMF species among the four plant associations
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Kranabetter, J.M., Friesen, J., Gamiet, S. et al. Epigeous fruiting bodies of ectomycorrhizal fungi as indicators of soil fertility and associated nitrogen status of boreal forests. Mycorrhiza 19, 535–548 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-009-0255-0

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