How do distributions of belowground grass-fungal symbioses change over altitudinal gradients in the Colorado Rocky Mountains?

Abstract

Fungal symbionts are pervasive and crucial components of terrestrial ecosystems. They can often reduce the effects of stressors such as drought and heat and can increase nutrient and water uptake for plants. Because of these roles, fungal symbionts may be important in mitigating the stressors of climate change. Because plants will likely move up in elevation in search of more favorable environments as climate change occurs, altitudinal gradients can be used to model the effects of climate change. We aimed to gain an understanding of the distribution of fungal symbionts over altitudinal gradients in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. We collected roots from 14 different grass species over 6 altitudinal gradients and quantified colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, fine arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, dark septate endophytes, and saprotrophs. The distribution of fungal symbionts over altitudinal gradients is not well understood and many studies focus on only one host species, one fungal group, or use only one gradient. We looked at multiple host species, fungal groups, gradients, and variables in an attempt to isolate the most important factors in determining distributions of fungal symbionts. We found that colonization patterns with altitude vary by host and many other factors may play important roles in determining the distribution of fungal symbionts.

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References (16)

1 in Knowledge Commons, 15 external