Microfungi of American Beech and Fraser Fir forests in GSMNP: Litter Studies
Microfungi of American Beech and Fraser Fir forests in GSMNP: Litter Studies
Objective: Catalog the microfungi present on litter tissues of American beech, Fraser fir, and Eastern hemlock (healthy and infested) of the GSMNP. These tree habitats were selected for study due to the critical need to develop baseline data from healthy and damaged stands being devastated by exotic insect/disease pests. Methods: A total of 5 locations (stands) for each tree species will be visited during each sampling period. Each tree within the a site location will be mapped using GPS and revisited for further survey. All locations will be sampled on April 31, June 15 and August 31. Within each sample location, 10 replicate trees will be randomly selected (
ABSTRACT: During May, July, and September in 2005 and 2006, 60 forest litter samples were obtained under canopies of healthy American Beech (fraseri) devastated by exotic pests, baseline data on microfungi was obtained in stands rated as healthy. Across three sampling dates for 2005 and two in 2006, a total of 3,360 and 2,889 microfungal isolates, respectively, were obtained comprising 70 genera. From those totals, 38.4% were from American beech, 30.6% from Fraser fir, and 31.1% from eastern hemlock. The Fungi Imperfecti comprised over 78% of all fungi observed across all tree species. When isolation frequencies were compared between tree species no significant difference occurred. The most common fungi identified wereFagus grandifora), Fraser fir (Abies) and eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). Since the three tree species are beingTrichoderma spp. on Eastern hemlock, omnivorum taxa identified during the study are first reports for the GSMNP. Trichoderma spp., Penicillium spp., and Phymatotrichum which was specific to American beech. Across both years, a total of 54.
