The Study of ECM Fungal Communities

The study of mycorrhizal symbioses between fungi and plants is an important ecological endeavor since it incorporates both above- and belowground biota, as well as interactions between the two. Mycorrhizal fungi are best recognized by their varied sporocarps that include mushrooms and truffles. But their belowground hyphal structures that physically interact with plant roots are the most common morphological feature of these fungi. Mycorrhizal fungi most commonly occur as either ecto- or endomycorrhizae, but also occur in specialized forms that associate with ericoids (e.g. blueberries), orchids and other plants. The role of mycorrhizae in assisting plant growth and survival is important, and their role in carbon sequestration and influence on ecosystem productivity is ecologically significant, but often ignored. The purpose of this exercise is to introduce you to the morphology and diversity of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi and to help you construct a community profile of these fungi when associated with specific host plants (i.e., plants associating with a specific group of ECM fungi). The benefits of the exercise are threefold: (1) to give you experience with field and lab methods used for ECM analyses, (2) to gain experience collecting and analyzing ecological data, and (3) to give you experience in constructing a community profile. While the focus of the exercise is on fungal identification methods, the data collection, analysis and interpretation undertaken can be applied to any biological community