A MycoPins-Based Approach to Understanding Saproxylic Fungal Diversity in Boreal Forests
Madhumitha Sadhasivan Gayathri
Co-Presenters: Joseph Twdroos
College: The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics and Technology
Major: Biology
Faculty Research Mentor: Maria Shumskaya
Abstract:
Fungi play a crucial role in boreal forests as primary decomposers of organic matter, releasing nutrients to the environment and contributing to overall plant and microbial growth. This decomposition causes the structure of detritus to change over time, shaping habitats for other organisms. Succession in this process is impacted by many factors.Boreal forests contain diverse tree species, primarily angiosperms (broadleaf) and gymnosperms (conifers), which produce hardwood and softwood, respectively. Though both contain cellulose and lignin, they differ in other chemistry that determines characteristics such as hardness and resistance to microbial invasion. Deadwood is a highly diverse nutritional resource and likely harbors a diverse group of specialized fungal species. Our research examines saproxylic fungi in a boreal forest, where the ecosystem is undisturbed by anthropogenic factors, characterize their succession, and assess the effects of forest management strategies.The Mycopins method involves placing wooden pins (hardwood and softwood) in the soil at four different sampling sites in a boreal forest in Finland: a swamp, a broadleaf forest, and a protected forest with and without access to reindeer, to monitor fungal colonization. 35 pins were collected biweekly (winter permitting) and analyzed using the metabarcoding method. This research focused on the swamp transect, and DNA was extracted from each sample, amplified using PCR, purified, and sequenced using next-generation sequencing.The research emphasizes the critical ecological function of fungi in boreal forests, providing data on the formation of saproxylic fungal guilds throughout the wood decomposition process, and their differences depending on the forest and wood type. Understanding saproxylic fungal guilds informs conservation practices, and sustainable management strategies. The MycoPins method represents a promising avenue for future ecological studies and enables a deeper understanding of the complex interactions that shape forest ecosystems.