Short-term survey of mycorrhizal fungal biodiversity and species richness in UMBS burn plots.

Abstract

Fungi form a tight symbiosis with plants through a mutualism known as arbuscular mycorrhizae, benefiting both the fungi and the plant. These symbioses are very specific and can be accounted for by the fruiting bodies, usually appearing under the plant species in which they form a relationship with. At the University of Michigan Biological Station in Pellston, Michigan a one week survey was conducted at plots burned at different times to observe how succession influences fungi biodiversity and species richness. A correlation was found between the plots and the species richness, the older plots having more species present. The data for biodiversity had some promising suggestions when it comes to species richness, but a further study needs to completed to say anything of significance about biodiversity and regression.