Ectomycorrhizal diversity in relation to land use change and ecosystem functions

Figure: The photo shows a close-up of moss and two mushrooms in a forest, with logs of dead wood in the background

Goals

The main objectives of the project phase are:

(i) to investigate the uptake and transport of ammonium and nitrate in roots of old beech and spruce stands in relation to environmental factors and fungal community composition.

(ii) to investigate environmental and host factors as drivers of vertical and horizontal structuring of root-associated fungal communities.

As soil concentrations of ammonium and nitrates differ between exploratories and beech- and conifer-dominated stands, we plan to investigate host effects and seasonal changes in nitrate and ammonium uptake. Data on the dynamics of inorganic N compounds in relation to biogeographical and temporal fluctuations of mycorrhizal communities are necessary for a better understanding of ecosystem processes and their influence by forest management.

Methods

As previous analyses showed different influences of host trees on the composition of different fungal guilds, we plan to investigate the vertical (organic support, upper mineral soil) and biogeographical variation of ectomycorrhizal communities and other life forms (saprophytes, pathogens, endophytes) across 150 forest plots.

Hypotheses

To test the hypothesis that ectomycorrhizal communities show stronger vertical differentiation (niche differentiation) than other fungal guilds and that ectomycorrhizal diversity, but not that of other fungal communities, correlates with root traits (morphology, nutrient concentrations).

Publications

Mineral type versus environmental filters: What shapes the composition and functions of fungal communities in the mineralosphere of forest soils?

Brandt L., Poll C., Ballauff J., Schrumpf M., Bramble D. S., Schöning I., Ulrich S., Kaiser K., Mikutta R., Mikutta C., Polle A., Kandeler E. (2024): Mineral type versus environmental filters: What shapes the composition and functions of fungal communities in the mineralosphere of forest soils? Soil Biology and Biochemistry 190: 109288. doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2023.109288

Ectomycorrhizal diversity, taxon-specific traits and root N uptake in temperate beech forests

Khokon A. M., Janz D., Polle A. (2023): Ectomycorrhizal diversity, taxon-specific traits and root N uptake in temperate beech forests. New Phytologist 239 (2), 739-751. doi: 10.1111/nph.18978

Interaction between growth environment and host progeny shape fungal endophytic assemblages in transplanted Fagus sylvatica

Guerreiro M. A., Kleetz J., Torres M. R., Polle A., Peršoh D., Begerow D. (2022): Interaction between growth environment and host progeny shape fungal endophytic assemblages in transplanted Fagus sylvatica. Fungal Ecology 60, 101175. doi: 10.1016/j.funeco.2022.101175

Soil Layers Matter: Vertical Stratification of Root-Associated Fungal Assemblages in Temperate Forests Reveals Differences in Habitat Colonization

Khokon A. M., Schneider D., Daniel R., Polle A. (2021): Soil Layers Matter: Vertical Stratification of Root-Associated Fungal Assemblages in Temperate Forests Reveals Differences in Habitat Colonization. Microorganisms 9 (10), 2131. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms9102131

Assembly of root-associated fungi in different soil layers and nitrogen uptake by ectomycorrhizae in temperate forests

Khokon A. M. (2021): Assembly of root-associated fungi in different soil layers and nitrogen uptake by ectomycorrhizae in temperate forests. Dissertation, University Göttingen

Soil and root nutrient chemistry structure root – associated fungal assemblages in temperate forests

Nguyen D. Q., Schneider D., Brinkmann N., Song B., Janz D., Schöning I., Daniel R., Pena R., Polle A. (2020): Soil and root nutrient chemistry structure root - associated fungal assemblages in temperate forests. Environmental Microbiology 22 (8), 3081-3095. doi: 10.1111/1462-2920.15037

Early stage root-associated fungi show a high temporal turnover, but are independent of beech progeny

Goldmann K., Ammerschubert S., Pena R., Polle A., Wu B.-W., Wubet T., Buscot F. (2020): Early stage root-associated fungi show a high temporal turnover, but are independent of beech progeny. Microorganisms 8 (2), 210. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms8020210

Assembly processes of trophic guilds in the root mycobiome of temperate forests

Triebkräfte für die Zusammensetzung von Pilzgemeinschaften an Wurzeln in temperaten Wäldern

Schröter K., Wemheuer B., Pena R., Schöning I., Ehbrecht M., Schall P., Ammer C., Daniel R., Polle A. (2019): Assembly processes of trophic guilds in the root mycobiome of temperate forests. Molecular Ecology 28 (2), 348-364. doi: 10.1111/mec.14887

Abhängigkeit der Stickstoffaufnahme von der Baumart in der Schorfheide-Chorin

Niemeyer M. (2019): Abhängigkeit der Stickstoffaufnahme von der Baumart in der Schorfheide-Chorin. Bachelor thesis, University of Göttingen.

Interaction of plant roots and soil fungi and their effects on soil and rhizosphere enzyme activities

Song B. (2019): Interaction of plant roots and soil fungi and their effects on soil and rhizosphere enzyme activities. Dissertation, University Göttingen

Biomasse- Blattzahl- und Höhenvergleich von Rotbuchen (Fagus sylvatica L.) verschiedener Herkünfte im Biodiversitäts-Exploratorium „Schorfheide“

Hendricks J. (2018): Biomasse- Blattzahl- und Höhenvergleich von Rotbuchen (Fagus sylvatica L.) verschiedener Herkünfte im Biodiversitäts-Exploratorium „Schorfheide“. Technical report, University Göttingen

Characterization of EST-SSRs for European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and their transferability to Fagus orientalis Lipsky, Castanea dentata Bork., and Quercus rubra L.

Beschreibung von EST-SSRs für die Rotbuche (Fagus sylvatica L.) und ihre Übertragbarkeit auf Fagus orientalis Lipsky, Castanea dentata Bork. und Quercus rubra L.

Burger K., Müller M., Gailing O. (2018): Characterization of EST-SSRs for European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and their transferability to Fagus orientalis Lipsky, Castanea dentata Bork., and Quercus rubra L. Silvae Genetica, 67 (1), 127-132. doi: 10.2478/sg-2018-0019

Diversity and function of root-associated fungal communities in relation to nitrogen nutrition in temperate forests

Nguyen Q. D. (2018): Diversity and function of root-associated fungal communities in relation to nitrogen nutrition in temperate forests. Dissertation, University Göttingen

Phylogenetic and functional traits of ectomycorrhizal assemblages in top soil from different biogeographic regions and forest types

Artenreichtum und funktionelle Merkmale von Mykorrhizagesellschaften in verschiedenen Regionen und Waldarten

Pena R., Lang C., Lohaus G., Boch S., Schall P., Schöning I., Ammer C., Fischer M., Polle A. (2017): Phylogenetic and functional traits of ectomycorrhizal assemblages in top soil from different biogeographic regions and forest types. Mycorrhiza 27 (3), 233–245. doi: 10.1007/s00572-016-0742-z

Impact of ectomycorrhizal community composition and soil treatment on inorganic nitrogen nutrition and performance of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) provenances

Nguyen D. Q., Pena R., Polle A. (2017): Impact of ectomycorrhizal community composition and soil treatment on inorganic nitrogen nutrition and performance of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) provenances. Trees - structure and function 31 (6), 1891–1904. doi: 10.1007/s00468-017-1594-7

Biomasse- und Höhenvergleich von Rotbuchen (Fagus sylvatica L.) verschiedener Herkünfte im Biodiversitäts-Exploratorium „Schwäbische Alb“

Schäfer N. (2017): Biomasse- und Höhenvergleich von Rotbuchen (Fagus sylvatica L.) verschiedener Herkünfte im Biodiversitäts-Exploratorium „Schwäbische Alb“. Technical report, University Göttingen

Acid and calcareous soils affect nitrogen nutrition and organic nitrogen uptake by beech seedlings (Fagus sylvatica L.) under drought, and their ectomycorrhizal community structure

Einfluss verschiedener Böden auf die Stickstoffaufnahme und Struktur von symbiontischen Wurzelpilzen bei jungen Buchen

Leberecht M., Tu J., Polle A. (2016): Acid and calcareous soils affect nitrogen nutrition and organic nitrogen uptake by beech seedlings (Fagus sylvatica L.) under drought, and their ectomycorrhizal community structure. Plant and Soil 409 (1), 143–157. doi: 10.1007/s11104-016-2956-4

Functional diversity of mycorrhiza in relation to land-use changes and ecosystem function

Schröter K. (2015): Functional diversity of mycorrhiza in relation to land-use changes and ecosystem functions. Dissertation, University Göttingen

Spatial patterns of ectomycorrhizal assemblages in a monospecific forest in relation to host tree genotype

Räumliches Muster von Ectomycorrhizagesellschaften in einem Buchenwald: Gibt es Beziehungen zwischen Pilzarten und Baumgenotyp?

Lang C., Finkeldey R., Polle A. (2013): Spatial patterns of ectomycorrhizal assemblages in a monospecific forest in relation to host tree genotype. Frontiers in Plant Science 4:103. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2013.00103

Ektomykorrhiza-Gesellschaften im Buchenwald: Beeinflussung durch abgestorbene Wurzeln

Steckel M. (2013): Ektomykorrhiza-Gesellschaften im Buchenwald: Beeinflussung durch abgestorbene Wurzeln. Bachelor thesis, University Goettingen

The effects of management and soil disturbance on ectomycorhizzal communities in beech woodlands in Hainich National Park, Germany

Hughes D. (2012): The effects of management and soil disturbance on ectomycorhizzal communities in beech woodlands in Hainich National Park, Germany. Bachelorarbeit, Bangor University

Are beech (Fagus sylvatica) roots territorial?

Sind die Wurzeln der Buche (Fagus sylvatica) territorial?

Lang C., Dolynska A., Finkeldey R., Polle A. (2010): Are beech (Fagus sylvatica) roots territorial? Forest Ecology and Management 260 (7), 1212-1217. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2010.07.014