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Diversity and species distribution of ectomycorrhizal fungi along productivity gradients of a southern boreal forest

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Abstract

Coniferous forests with diverse ectomycorrhizal fungus (EMF) communities are associated with nutrient-poor, acidic soils but there is some debate whether EMF can be equally adapted to more productive, nitrogen-rich sites. We compared EMF species distribution and diversity along a replicated productivity gradient in a southern boreal forest of British Columbia (Canada). Roots from subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) saplings of the understory were sampled and EMF species were identified by morphotypes supplemented with ITS rDNA analysis. There were significant changes in the distribution and abundance of 74 EMF species along the productivity gradient, with as little as 24% community similarity among contrasting sites. Species richness per plot increased asymptotically with foliar nitrogen concentrations of subalpine fir, demonstrating that many EMF species were well suited to soils with high rates of nitrogen mineralization. EMF species abundance in relation to site productivity included parabolic, negative linear, and positive exponential curves. Both multi-site and more narrowly distributed EMF were documented, and a diverse mix of mantle exploration types was present across the entire productivity gradient. The results demonstrate strong associations of EMF fungal species with edaphic characteristics, especially nitrogen availability, and a specialization in EMF communities that may contribute to the successful exploitation of such contrasting extremes in soil fertility by a single tree host.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Michaela Byrne and Jenna Benson of the UBC Okanagan molecular lab for undertaking the ITS analysis. Marcel Lavigne and Bill Borrett assisted in the plot layout and field sampling, and Rick Trowbridge of Boreal Research and Development Ltd. was consulted on soil and plant association classification. Clive Dawson and Dave Dunn of the B.C. Ministry of Forests Analytical Laboratory undertook the soil N and foliar chemical analysis. Peter Ott and Wendy Bergerud of the B.C. Ministry of Forests were consulted on the statistical analysis. Funds for the research project were provided by the Forest Investment Account of British Columbia.

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

    J. M. Kranabetter

  2. University of British Columbia—Okanagan, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC, Canada, V1V 1V7

    D. M. Durall

  3. British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range, Bag 6000, Smithers, BC, Canada, V0J 2N0

    W. H. MacKenzie

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  1. J. M. Kranabetter
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  3. W. H. MacKenzie
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Correspondence to J. M. Kranabetter.

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Table 5 List of morphotypes with successful ITS rDNA analysis
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Kranabetter, J.M., Durall, D.M. & MacKenzie, W.H. Diversity and species distribution of ectomycorrhizal fungi along productivity gradients of a southern boreal forest. Mycorrhiza 19, 99–111 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-008-0208-z

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