Effects of pH, nutrient availability, and mycorrhizal association on distribution of Kalmia polifolia in Mud Lake bog.

Abstract

The distribution of organisms is often affected by the presence of abiotic factors in the environment. As a result, many organisms have developed mutualistic relationships with other organisms in order to increase chances for survival. This study addressed the influence of pH, mycorrhizal associations, NH3, soluble reactive phosphorus, total phosphorus and the distribution of Kalmia polifolia within Mud Lake bog. Correlation analysis revealed that only pH was significantly related to density. Mycorrhizal association was not significantly related to density, and neither were NH3 and soluble reactive phosphorus. Nevertheless, our results suggest that there might be a correlation between total available phosphorus and extent of mycorrhizal association. Density was also greater in hummock areas than in adjacent non-hummock areas. These results suggest that pH may have an effect on density, though alternate mechanisms are also suggested.