A survey of Monotropa and tree associations on the University of Michigan burn plot chronosequence

Abstract

Monotropa does not contain chlorophyll and relies on a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi to obtain nutrients from other plants such as trees. There is little known about the trees Monotropa tend to associate with and whether there are specific tree species or tree categories, coniferous and deciduous, they associate with. The purpose of this study is to further understand fungal relationships with myco-heterotrophic plants and the associations that these plants form. We sampled 40 Monotropa plants at the University of Michigan Bum Plot Chronosequence. We took plant measurements and distance to trees within a two meter radius of each of the 40 sampled plants, and collected six specimens for analysis of mycorrhizal fungi biomass. We also took measurements on each tree that was located within the two meter radius around each plant. We found that there was no significant relationship between Monotropa distance to tree and tree category, but there was a significant difference between tree species. In particular, Monotropa were found to be closer to Quercus rubra and further from Acer rubrum. We also found that tree proximity and tree presence had a significant positive relationship with Monotropa health, but that there was no significant relationship between tree category and Monotropa health. We were unable to analyze our data for fungal biomass and above ground biomass due to a small sample size and we suggest that there should be further research with anadequate sample size to draw conclusions.