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High Diversity of Fungal Ecological Groups in Andean-Patagonian Nothofagus Forests

Summary

This research explored the hidden world of fungi living in Chilean forests, specifically studying the relationship between fungi and two types of southern beech trees. Using advanced DNA sequencing technology, researchers discovered an incredibly diverse community of fungi living in and around tree roots, many of which had never been observed before in these forests. This knowledge is crucial for forest conservation and sustainable management of edible mushrooms. Impacts on everyday life: • Helps protect native forests by understanding their complex underground networks • Supports sustainable harvesting of edible wild mushrooms important for local communities • Provides new methods for monitoring forest health using DNA technology • Contributes to conservation of endangered mushroom species like Boletus loyo • Helps preserve traditional ecological knowledge and cultural practices of indigenous Mapuche people

Background

Native Andean-Patagonian Nothofagus forests harbor unique microorganism diversity with various ecological roles. While ectomycorrhizal associations are an important part of these forest ecosystems, the factors affecting such communities remain largely unknown. Understanding these fungal communities is crucial for forest ecosystem health and sustainable management of edible mushroom resources.

Objective

The study aimed to investigate the biodiversity, relative abundance, and composition of ectomycorrhizal fungal communities in relation to two host tree species (Nothofagus dombeyi and N. obliqua), their ages, and soil properties in six monospecific and mixed evergreen-deciduous Nothofagus forests. A particular focus was placed on characterizing the relative abundance of edible fungi Boletus loyo and Ramaria spp. associated with these Nothofagus species.

Results

The study identified 1,125 fungal taxa at the genus level distributed across 131 orders. Basidiomycota (62.1%) and Ascomycota (34.5%) were the most abundant phyla, while Mucoromycota (3.1%) and others occurred less frequently. The highest taxon diversity was found in old trees, with young trees showing lower fungal diversity. Fungal taxa were grouped into seven ecological categories, with saprotrophic associations being most common. No significant differences were found in taxa numbers between young and old trees of both Nothofagus species.

Conclusion

The study revealed high fungal diversity in Nothofagus forests, with no statistical differences in main fungal partners between N. dombeyi and N. obliqua. The Illumina sequencing approach detected previously unobserved fungal diversity that would not have been possible through traditional fruiting body surveys alone. The findings suggest that site proximity, soil condition similarity, and anthropogenic forest use impact belowground fungal community diversity and composition.
  • Published in:PLOS One,
  • Study Type:Field Research Study,
  • Source: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290398
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