FORESTCHECK: the response of epigeous macrofungi to silviculture in jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest

Species richness, abundance and composition of epigeous macrofungi were monitored at 48 grids across four jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest ecosystems in south-west Western Australia as part of an integrated monitoring project to examine responses to different timber harvesting and regeneration treatments. Forest that had never been harvested or had not been harvested for over 40 years was used as a reference, and compared to forest that had undergone shelterwood/selective cutting and gap release treatment after 1988. Silvicultural treatment also included post-harvest burning. All epigeous species of macrofungi and their abundance were recorded from autumn surveys at each grid. A total of 450 species were recorded. Overall mean species richness and abundance was similar but the composition of species assemblages contributing to macrofungal communities differed significantly between silvicultural treatments and reference forest. Sixty-nine species were restricted to reference forest while 35 were restricted to shelterwood/selective cut and 62 to gap release treatment. In all treatments, the overall mean number of species per grid recorded fruiting on soil was 2-4 times higher than that recorded on litter or wood. Species richness of sporophores recorded on both soil and litter was similar for all treatments, but was significantly lower on wood in reference forest compared to the gap release treatment. Mean sporophore abundance was significantly higher on litter and lower on wood in reference forest compared with silviculturally treated forest. Because fire is an integral part of jarrah forest silviculture, it was not possible to separate the singular effect that either tree removal or fire had on macrofungal communities. However, in different time-since-treatment classes the overall composition of species assemblages was different, but species richness and abundance for each silvicultural treatment were similar. Each forest ecosystem supported its own unique fungal community, which supports the concept of ecosystems in jarrah forest based on forest structure and understory vegetation resulting from variation in climate, soils and landforms. Current conservation policy and silviculture practice in jarrah forest produces a landscape mosaic containing early succession stands through to mature forest across the landscape, which is important for the maintenance of fungal biodiversity. Much of the fungal population in jarrah forest, however, remains unknown and only a long-term commitment to survey and monitoring will improve knowledge on the diversity and ecology of these important organisms and ensure their consideration in future management decisions.