The structure of the mycoflora in the montane and subalpine zone of the Algovian Alps is extremely variable, though the majority of the fungal remains (spores and hyphae) remain widespread in most soils. The study addresses the following questions: (1) To which extent can environmental heterogeneity be recognised by qualitative changes in species richness or quantitative shifts in structure diversity within the mycoflora of different permanent plots? (2) May the ecological tolerance of fungi be assessed by means of (non-)linear models? The abundance of many fungal genera clearly points to the Ellenberg indicator values (averages calculated upon a vascular plant list of 555 local species). A multivariate analysis revealed that altitude-related microclimate, dung-related nitrogen and vegetation carpet play an important role in the ecological amplitude of the soil flora in calcareous scree communities, alpine grasslands and meadows. Especially the below-ground mycoflora of moist calcareous soils shows evident biodiversity shifts due to charged ledge communities, while the sporocarps of mutualistic macrofungi of the timberline appear to be extremely sensitive to full sun light and UV. As expected, the mycocoenoses of forest communities is strongly related to higher average temperatures. Multiple General Linear Modelling (GLM) inferred the actual ecological requirements of 30 taxa and five morpha with respect to the combined action of light, temperature, moisture, soil reactivity and N-availability. As demonstrated by a multifactorial Monte Carlo simulation, the possibility for increased competition of mycelium growth and spore dispersal of individual species are only favoured by specific conditions in each of the predictor variables (lower threshold). This evaluation can yield new perspectives in future prognostic efforts by improving the evidential value of bottom-up forces in food web models.
Assessing fungal species sensitivity to environmental gradients by the Ellenberg indicator values of above-ground vegetation
Mulder, Christian
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;
2003-01-01
Abstract
The structure of the mycoflora in the montane and subalpine zone of the Algovian Alps is extremely variable, though the majority of the fungal remains (spores and hyphae) remain widespread in most soils. The study addresses the following questions: (1) To which extent can environmental heterogeneity be recognised by qualitative changes in species richness or quantitative shifts in structure diversity within the mycoflora of different permanent plots? (2) May the ecological tolerance of fungi be assessed by means of (non-)linear models? The abundance of many fungal genera clearly points to the Ellenberg indicator values (averages calculated upon a vascular plant list of 555 local species). A multivariate analysis revealed that altitude-related microclimate, dung-related nitrogen and vegetation carpet play an important role in the ecological amplitude of the soil flora in calcareous scree communities, alpine grasslands and meadows. Especially the below-ground mycoflora of moist calcareous soils shows evident biodiversity shifts due to charged ledge communities, while the sporocarps of mutualistic macrofungi of the timberline appear to be extremely sensitive to full sun light and UV. As expected, the mycocoenoses of forest communities is strongly related to higher average temperatures. Multiple General Linear Modelling (GLM) inferred the actual ecological requirements of 30 taxa and five morpha with respect to the combined action of light, temperature, moisture, soil reactivity and N-availability. As demonstrated by a multifactorial Monte Carlo simulation, the possibility for increased competition of mycelium growth and spore dispersal of individual species are only favoured by specific conditions in each of the predictor variables (lower threshold). This evaluation can yield new perspectives in future prognostic efforts by improving the evidential value of bottom-up forces in food web models.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
