『Abstract
Ectomycorrhizal fungi are mutualistic symbionts of many forest
trees and play a major role in nutrient uptake. They form diverse
communities in boreal forest soils but functional differences
within this group of fungi remain largely unknown. We study ectomycorrhizal
fungi in mineral soil to determine how abiotic preferences influence
their spatial distribution in stratified soil profiles. This is
achieved by correlative field studies of species distribution
and soil characteristics at a spatial resolution relevant to soil
heterogeneity and mycelial size. Field sampling strategies are
being evaluated to establish a protocol for simultaneous small-sample
analysis of ectomycorrhizal community and soil chemical variables.
Species-specific substrate preferences are examined by studies
of regulation of enzymatic and biogeochemical activity in response
to relevant organic and inorganic sources of phosphorus. Studies
of four species in the genus Piloderma have demonstrated that
different strategies to obtain phosphorus are reflected by their
spatial distribution in a podzol soil profile.』
Introduction
Ectomycorrhizal fungi in boreal forest soil
Phosphorus availability as a determinant for differential species
distribution
Results and discussion
Species chemical correlation in the field
Species-specific substrate specialization
Conclusions
References