Journal
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
Volume 257, Issue 3, Pages 1063-1069Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2008.11.011
Keywords
Postfire recovery; Erosion control; Soil aggregation; Anthracobia
Categories
Funding
- U.S. Forest Service
- Pacific Northwest Research Station, Corvallis, Oregon
- CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Canberra
- North Coast and Cascades Research Learning Network
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The functional roles of fungi in recovery of forest ecosystems after fire remain poorly documented. We observed macrofungi soon after fire at two widely separated sites, one in the Pacific Northwest United States and the other in southeastern mainland Australia. The range of species on-site was compared against macrofungi reported after the volcanic eruption at Mount St. Helens, also in the Pacific Northwest. Each of the three sites shared species, particularly representatives of the genus Anthracobia. Soon after disturbance, we noted extensive mycelial mats and masses of fruit-bodies of this genus, particularly at heavily impacted microsites. The mycelial mats appeared to play an important functional role on-site, possibly aggregating soil particles in otherwise highly erodable landscapes. We hypothesise that fungi such as Anthrocobia are pivotal species in early system recovery after disturbance, helping minimize the movement of soil in the absence of plant roots. As plant root systems recover, the importance of these fungi in soil stabilization may diminish. Other functional roles of early postfire fungi might include nutrient acquisition, leading to the reestablishment of vegetation. These potential roles need to be experimentally tested and relevant findings incorporated into programs aimed at restoring forest ecosystems after disturbance. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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