| Ectomycorrhizal fungi of a primary successional ecosystem and of exotic forest plantations are studied. Both are simplified ecosystems with hosts requiring the importation of ectomycorrhizal fungi to survive. Pine seedlings establishing in a primary successional pattern on the Oregon Dunes, USA, are dominated by a select group of suilloid fungi despite high diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi present in neighboring forests. This study shows that these fungi are adapted for early successional or disturbed environments due to their specialized animal dispersal mechanism and long-term spore resistance. Ectomycorrhizal fungi are also establishing in novel environments around the world through plantation forestry. As in the primary succession example, these planted forests support a low diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi capable of surviving the trip to the new environment. The history of exotic ectomycorrhizal fungal establishment, methods of inoculation, fungal species function on host productivity, and implications for management are discussed. |
