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Progression of saproxylic fungal communities in fine woody debris in boreal forests of Oulanka, Finland, assessed by DNA metabarcoding

Summary

Researchers used a novel method called MycoPins—sterilized wooden pins buried in forest soil—combined with DNA analysis to identify and track fungal communities decomposing dead wood in Finnish boreal forests. Over one year, they found 215 fungal species colonizing these pins across three different forest types. Notably, 41 of these species had never been recorded in the region before, showing that DNA-based methods can reveal fungal diversity that traditional observation methods miss.

Background

Fine woody debris (FWD) plays a crucial role in boreal forest ecosystems, but saproxylic fungal communities colonizing FWD remain poorly understood due to the cryptic nature of fungi. This study addresses the knowledge gap by using DNA metabarcoding to characterize fungal communities in decomposing wood across different forest biotopes in northern Finland.

Objective

To assess the temporal development and diversity of saproxylic fungal communities in fine woody debris under natural conditions using the novel MycoPins method combined with DNA metabarcoding. The study investigates how fungal communities vary across different decay stages, wood types (hardwood vs. softwood), and land-use conditions including reindeer grazing and tourist access.

Results

Analysis identified 3,990 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) classified into 215 species across 8 fungal classes and 2 phyla. Approximately 52.28% of OTUs were identified at the species level and 25.41% at the genus level. Comparison with existing GBIF records revealed 41 species unique to this dataset, demonstrating the effectiveness of eDNA methods in capturing fungal diversity not captured by traditional surveys.

Conclusion

The study presents a comprehensive DNA-derived dataset on saproxylic fungal communities in boreal forest fine woody debris, demonstrating the value of the MycoPins method for monitoring fungal colonisation dynamics. The dataset contributes significantly to understanding fungal biodiversity in boreal ecosystems and provides insights into how land-use practices affect decomposer communities.
  • Published in:Biodiversity Data Journal,
  • Study Type:Field-based observational study with experimental decomposition design,
  • Source: 10.3897/BDJ.13.e155520, PMID: 41049871
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