Counting marmots…
Plant-‐fungal symbioses are found in ecosystems worldwide, but relatively little is known about how these two organisms affect each other. This study sought to shed light on this topic. The first experiment tested to see if the presence of an endophyte (genus Epichloë) effected the decomposition rates of its host grass (Festuca thurberi) and on fungal composition in litter, and whether or not the effect is different along elevation gradients. The second experiment tested for survival, growth and biomass differences between plants naturally associated with an endophyte, plants naturally endophyte-‐free, and plants which have had their endophyte removed using the fungicide Benomyl. Results thus far have shown that the presence of an endophyte has had a negative effect on plant biomass and survival over the course of the four years since the experiment was began, which agrees with findings of past studies. Endophyte status does not appear to play a significant role in determining free-‐living fungal associate diversity among plants. However, fungal composition significantly differed between live and dead leaf tissue. Upon the conclusion of this study, we will have gained a greater understanding of ecology of grasses and their symbionts, how endophyte symbioses affect other fungal taxa (decomposers), and how all of these species interactions affect overall ecosystem functioning. Part I: Does endophyte symbiosis alter decomposition along altitudinal gradients?
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