The occurrence and diversity of ectomycorrhizas of Larix kaempferi seedlings on a volcanic mountain in Japan

Abstract

Larix kaempferi seedlings, in the process of becoming established during the revegetation process following a volcanic eruption, were assessed for the types, occurrence patterns and diversity of their ectomycorrhizas along an elevation gradient. On the basis of macro- and microscopic characteristics, 12 types of ectomycorrhizas were classified. In general, ectomycorrhizal types differed more by site than by seedling age. The majority of root systems of seedlings with an age ranging from 1 to 5 years were colonized by 1 or 2 types of mycorrhizal fungi at low and intermediate elevations, 2 or 3 types at a higher elevation. Under the more stressed environments of high and intermediate elevations, the mean d.w. of 1 yr old seedlings, 40% of which were colonized by 3 or 4 mycorrhizal fungi, was double the weight of the same aged seedlings at lower elevation sites, only 10% of which were colonized by 3 or 4 mycorrhizal fungi. The correspondence between the type and frequency of mycorrhizas, the elevation gradient and litter accumulation suggests that change in litter accumulation along gradient may influence not only mycorrhizal types and their occurrence, but also the diversity of mycorrhizas on one seedling. Diversity of mycorrhizas on the same seedling is assumed to be critical for the establishment of seedlings from the very beginning on stressed sites, and may also be influenced by the availability of nutrients. The more intensive competition between mycorrhizas that occurs due to a reduction in the food source (tip roots) shared by the mycorrhizal fungi with similar resource requirements, results in frequent co-occurrence of mycorrhizas in the same root system or even the same root tip. As a result, the diversity of mycorrhizal types seems to become simplified as the seedlings age.