Project description A1 - Project completed

Christa Lang

Completed doctoral thesis in the framework of the Graduiertenkolleg 1086 (Scientific advisor: Prof. Dr. A. Polle)


Diversity of mycorrhiza forming fungi in a deciduos forest with different tree species PDF

Roots of most tree species in the temperate zone form ectomycorrhizas with symbiotic fungi, which accommodate the host with water and nutrients. For grassland ecosystems experimental studies showed that the below-ground mycorrhizal diversity drives above-ground diversity and productivity, but other studies showed that plant community composition greatly influence the diversity of root associated organisms. Little is known about these relationships in deciduous forest ecosystems.
The objectives of this project are:

• to specify the ectomycorrhiza fungi species in the Nationalpark Hainich
• to analyse relationship between the diversity of mycorrhizal communities and diversity of tree speciespunkt>
  
• to analyse the relationship between ectomycorrhiza fungi species and nutrient concentration in the roots

Beech mycorrhiza in April 2006 (A) and September 2006 (B)

We have chosen 6 plots (50 x 50m) in three different forest types:

• stands stocked with only one tree species (Fagus sylvatica),
• stands with three tree species (F. sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Tilia spec)
• stands with five tree species (F. sylvatica, F. excelsior, Tilia spec, Acer spec., Carpinus betulus).

Soil samples were taken in April, July, September and November in 2006 and April, July, September 2007. The roots were washed out and the mycorrhizal infection rate was determined, morphotyping carried out, and the mycorrhiza fungi was identified by ITS sequencing and compared the sequences with NCBI and UNITE databank.