| The Effects of Logging and Tree Species Composition on Soil Fungi |
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| Investigators |
| Dr. Suzanne Simard, B.C. Ministry of Forests
Professor Dan Durall, Department of Biology, Okanagan University College
Sharmin Gamiet M.Sc., University of Washington
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What is the Issue? |
| ROLE OF FUNGI IN REFORESTATION IN INTERIOR BC FORESTS |
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Soil fungi (mycorrhizas), along with their reproductive organs -- mushrooms -- help keep forests healthy by providing nutrients to both plants and animals. In addition, these soil fungi assist in natural processes involved in forest decomposition and reforestation. This ongoing study in southern BC has found that old natural forests support more soil fungi and mushrooms, as well as a more diverse range of soil fungi and mushrooms, than do younger forests. The results from this study are being used to more fully understand the role of soil fungi in successful reforestation programs.
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What is our goal? |
| EXPLORING THE WORLD BENEATH THE FOREST.
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| The effects of logging and tree species composition on soil fungi. |
Where we currently stand. |
| The effects of tree species composition and stand age on ectomycorrhizal sporocarp species composition, abundance and diversity have been examined by enumerating sporocarps in 5- and 100 year-old forests composed of relatively pure birch, relatively pure Douglas-fir, and mixtures of paper birch and Douglas-fir. Sampling and DNA analysis has occurred over a four year period (1996-1999 inclusive). Species richness and sporocarp abundance have been substantially greater in the 100 year-old seral stands than the 5 year-old plantations in all measurement years. However, species richness has not varied consistently among the different tree species compositions. In the late seral stands, some species are consistently unique to pure Douglas-fir, pure paper birch and mixed stands. DNA of over 600 sporocarps has been isolated, amplified and analyzed and fungal species diversity is currently being correlated with soil properties, tree species composition and forest productivity. Funding to complete this project by the end of 2000 has been approved and final results of this study will be submitted for publication in December.
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You can help this project - find out how. |
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