The ectomycorrhizal community structure in beech coppices of different age

Abstract – The ectomycorrhizal community structure in Beech
coppices of different age The species composition of
ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal communities can be strongly influenced
by the sylvicultural practises, abiotic and biotic factors, which
determine interactions among the species. In order to determine the
influence of the coppicing on EM community, shoot age, bedrock
types, exposure, slope, humus features, soil conditions, sampling
points locations were taken into account as the most representative
and influencing factors in these soil ecological dynamics. In
summer 2005, 2006 and 2007, in 7 [2-48-years-old] Beech [Fagus
sylvatica (L.) Karst.] coppices located in the Province of Trento
(northern Italy), a monitoring on the the root tipes was applied to
compare these sites, and to give an additional instrument like a
synthetic biological indicator for the traditional management
strategies. In the present study the results confirmed the
ectomycorrhizal community structure investigated in 7 beech
coppices of different age was typical with the occurrence of few
abundant species and many others with significantly lower
abundance. Cenococcum geophilum was the most frequently detected
species in each site and in each sample date. Morphological,
anatomical and molecular investigations revealed a total of 60
anatomotypes. Of these 35 were unknown on Fagus sylvatica up to
now. The investigations on the community composition can be
considered a great contribution to the biodiversity of the Beech
forest, with four detailed species descriptions: Fagirhiza
byssoporioides, Fagirhiza entolomoides, Fagirhiza stellata and
Hygrophorus penarius. Additional investigations using stable
isotopes were necessary to understand the parasitic attitude shown
by this species in these coppices. The investigation of the ECM
community composition (species richness evenness, and dispersion,
vitality and rate of mycorrhization) in relation to shoot age and
to the main ecological factors revealed the absence of a real
reaction to the coppicing, and the major importance of the slope or
other ecological conditions to understand the species distribution.
An aggregation of the species was releaved, but the species
features didn't show a clear correlation with the ecological stand
conditions, concerning the spatial distribution and the soil
horizons. The results suggest that the coppice treatment in Beech,
didn't have a significant effect on the EM community structure
since 2 until 48 years from coppicing. Considering the stability of
the EM community as a bioindicator of the ecosystem resilience, it
can be supposed that a rational coppicing treatment could be a
sustainable human activity, compatible with the ecosystem dynamics
under these environmental conditions. Two more EM descriptions were
performed: Pseudotomentella humicola on Picea abies and Sistotrema
muscicola on Castanea sativa.