Elucidating the nutritional dynamics of fungi using stable isotopes

Jordan R. Mayor; Edward A.G. Schuur; Terry W. Henkel

Treesearch

Elucidating the nutritional dynamics of fungi using stable isotopes

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Jordan R. Mayor, Edward A.G. Schuur, Terry W. Henkel

Year:

2009

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

Source:

Ecology Letters. 12: 171-183

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Abstract

Mycorrhizal and saprotrophic (SAP) fungi are essential to terrestrial element cycling due to their uptake of mineral nutrients and decomposition of detritus. Linking these ecological roles to specific fungi is necessary to improve our understanding of global nutrient cycling, fungal ecophysiology, and forest ecology. Using discriminant analyses of nitrogen and carbon isotope values from 813 fungi across 23 sites, we verified collector-based categorizations as either ectomycorrhizal (ECM) or SAP in > 91% of the fungi, and provided probabilistic assignments for an additional 27 fungi of unknown ecological role.

Keywords

13C, l5N, discriminant analysis, ectomycorrhizae, microbial ecology, nutrient cycling, saprotroph\

Citation

Mayor, Jordan R.; Schuur, Edward A.G.; Henkel, Terry W. 2009. Elucidating the nutritional dynamics of fungi using stable isotopes. Ecology Letters. 12: 171-183.