Report Number: 29969
Reporting
Year: 2004
Permit Number: CRLA-2003-SCI-0002
Current Status: Checked in
Date Received: Jan 24, 2005
Principal Investigator:
Dr Kermit Cromack, Jr., Oregon State
University, Corvallis, OR
Additional investigator(s):
Dr. Efren Cazares,
Dr. James Trappe, Matt Trappe
Park-assigned Study Id. #:
CRLA-03026
Permit Expiration
Date:
Oct 31, 2006
Permit Start Date:
Jul 07, 2003
Study Starting
Date:
Jul 07, 2003
Study Ending Date:
Oct 31, 2006
Study
Status:
Continuing
Activity Type:
Research
Subject/Discipline:
Fire (Behavior, Ecology, Effects)
Objectives:
This research is proposed to examine effects
of prescribed fire on the fruiting of
ectomycorrhizal fungal at Crater Lake
National Park. Fruiting bodies do not
perfectly reflect the entire belowground
diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi (Gardes
and Bruns 1996) but serve as a useful and
cost-effective indicator of ectomycorrhizal
community response to fire. Moreover, they
are important in diets of wildlife and hence
a major response variable to evaluate
effects of fire on wildlife habitat. The
goal is to evaluate the effect of spring and
fall burns on the fruiting of
ectomycorrhizal fungi and relate these
effects to vegetative and soil
characteristics.
The overall objective of this study is to
quantify effects of early and late spring
versus fall burning on the ectomycorrhizal
fungus community composition as reflected by
fruiting-body production. The study is
designed to answer these specific questions:
-
How does season of burn relate to amount
and species composition of mycorrhizal
fungus sporocarp production?
-
How does intensity of burn relate to
amount and species composition of sporocarp
production?
-
How does burn-induced change in ground
vegetation relate to amount and species
composition of to sporocarp production?
-
How does burn-induced canopy cover change
relate to amount and species composition of sporocarp production?
-
How does burn-induced change in selected
soil properties relate to amound and species
composition of sporocarp production?
-
How do factors 1-5 relate to spring vs.
autumn fruiting species?
-
How do factors 1-5 relate to time since
burning?
-
How do factors 1-5 interact?
A secondary objective will be to assess the
treatment variables on presence of visible,
dense colonies of ectomycorrhizal fungi
(termed fungal mats) in the soil. Mats are
often concentrated in the upper soil
horizons and hence may be particularly
sensitive to fire. Questions 1-8 for
sporocarp production will also be addressed
for mats.
Findings and Status:
Sixteen plots (four each of the four
treatments; early spring burn, late spring
burn, fall burn, and unburned control) were
surveyed for above- and belowground
mycorrhizal fungi in the spring and again in
the fall of 2004.
So far in this study we have discovered five
new (undescribed) species of mycorrhizal
fungi: Boletus cf edulis sp nov, Suillus cf
lakei sp nov, Rhizopogon sp nov, Leucogaster
sp nov, and Gigasperma sp nov. We have also
found the following notable fungi:
Arcangelliela crassa (first discovery north
of California), Gymnomyces nondistincta
(second specimen ever found, other was from
Mt. Hood), and Fevensia auratiaca (fifth
specimen ever found, range extension from
Lane County). In addition to the above, we
have identified 13 other species of
mycorrhizal fungi from the Park that are on
the Northwest Forest Plan Survey & Manage
list.
Over 100 collections of Russulas from Crater
Lake National Park have been sent to Dr.
Steve Miller at Univ. Wyoming Laramie for
phylogenetic analysis. This will contribute
to his world monograph of the genus as well
as providing valuable data for the Park,
including the likely identification of
several more undescribed species.
We have sampled and determined the soil bulk
density from all burn treatments (late
spring burn seems to decrease density, no
significant effects from other treatments).
Carbon and Nitrogen analysis of mineral soil
and needle litter is in process.
Journal articles describing the "New Species
of Mycorrhizal Fungi from Crater Lake
National Park" and an accounting of "The
Ramarias of Crater Lake" are underway and
will be published in peer-reviewed journals
in 2005.
For
this study, were one or more specimens collected and
removed from the park but not destroyed during
analyses?
Yes
Funding provided
this reporting year by NPS: 0
Funding provided
this reporting year by other sources:
53000
Full name of
college or university: n/a
Annual funding
provided by NPS to university or college this
reporting year: 0
