Abstract Detail

Symbioses: Plant, Animal, and Microbe Interactions

Hupperts, Stefan [1], Karst, Justine [2], Landhäusser, Simon M. [3].

Recovery of ectomycorrhizal fungi following reclamation of boreal forest.

Afforestation of severely disturbed boreal landscapes requires consideration of ectomycorrhizal fungi, which through connections between plants and soils, are essential for establishment and survival of many boreal tree species. Following reclamation of surface mined areas, restoration aims to return sites to a locally representative and functioning boreal forest ecosystem. As part of a larger project to evaluate strategies to restore upland boreal forests, the objective of this research was to assess the recovery of ectomycorrhizal fungi communities in different salvaged soil materials used in reclamation (subsoil, peat, and forest floor material) and compare those with the fungal community present in soils of ecological benchmarks ranging in extent of disturbance (mature Pinus banksiana forest, harvested Pinus banksiana forests with surface soil intact, or removed). To assay the soils, we planted one-year-old seedlings of Populus tremuloides, Pinus banksiana, and Picea glauca, and harvested them after two growing seasons. Ectomycorrhizal fungal communities present on seedling roots were examined using a combination of microscopy and molecular techniques. At the reclaimed site, the highest fungal diversity occurred in the forest floor material used as cover soil. Among the ecological benchmarks, forests harvested with organic soils removed exhibited the highest fungal diversity. Between the reclamation site and ecological benchmarks, peat cover soil and soils of harvested Pinus banksiana forests had the most species of fungi in common. Host identity also influenced fungal community composition; several fungal species were found predominately on one of the three host tree species. Although generalist fungal species were most common, these findings indicate signs of recovery after two growing seasons at the reclamation site.

1 - University of Alberta, Renewable Resources, 4-42 Earth Sciences Building, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E3, Canada
2 - University of Alberta, Renewable Resources, 3-38B Earth Sciences Building, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E3, Canada
3 - University of Alberta, Renewable Resources, 4-44A Earth Sciences Building, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E3, Canada

Keywords:
ectomycorrhizae
symbiosis
boreal forest
restoration
disturbance.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics
Session: 36
Location: Salon 5/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Tuesday, July 28th, 2015
Time: 10:30 AM
Number: 36010
Abstract ID:556
Candidate for Awards:None