The introduction of nursery seedlings and their fungi to a spruce-fir forest in Newfoundland
Abstract
A few species of boreal trees form symbiotic relationships with many ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi that allow trees to thrive on nutrient poor soils in Canada. A small number of ECM species grow on tree seedlings raised in nurseries for reforestation of clearcut sites. The native ECM fungal community composition of a mixed spruce-fir forest in Newfoundland was determined through next generation sequencing. With the introduction of nursery seedlings, the transfer of native ECM fungi to seedlings and nursery-established ECM fungi to roots was investigated over 20 months. ECM community composition was found to be similar to that of other boreal forests in Canada. Seven taxa likely transferred from roots to seedlings but none were transferred from seedlings to roots. Maintaining the composition of native ECM communities is key to forest health and this study suggests that reforestation practices in Canada do not alter native ECM community composition within the studied time-frame.