Interactions with juniper alter pinyon pine ectomycorrhizal fungal communities

Kristin E. Haskins, Catherine A. Gehring

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Belowground interactions can affect plants either directly or indirectly via their associated mycorrhizal fungi. However, few studies have experimentally examined the consequences of interspecific root interactions for these important mutualists in the field. We used a trenching experiment to examine how belowground interactions between pinyon pine and one-seed juniper affected the ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungal communities of pinyon pine. Three major findings emerged: (1) pinyons responded to the reduction of juniper roots with a near doubling of fine root biomass in just two years, (2) this increase in pinyon roots translated into a potential two-fold increase in EM abundance, and (3) the EM fungal communities of trenched trees differed significantly from controls largely due to a decrease in ascomycete fungi. Because species of EM fungi vary in the benefits they provide, changes in EM communities could have long-term consequences for host-plant establishment, growth, and survival. Belowground interactions with juniper may contribute to the high mortality of pinyons and the reduced diversity of EM fungi associated with recent droughts.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2687-2692
Number of pages6
JournalEcology
Volume85
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2004

Keywords

  • Arizona (USA) pinyon-juniper woodland
  • Belowground tree interactions and fungal communities
  • Ectomycorrhiza
  • Interspecific competition
  • Juniperus monosperma
  • Pinus edulis
  • RFLP (restriction fragment-length polymorphism)
  • Trenching experiment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

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