Post fire macrofungal survival from temperate forests in northeastern Mexico

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Temperate forests of Nuevo Leon have a high plant, animal and fungi diversity which form nutritional interaction networks and are affected by fires. Mycorrhizal fungi contribute to the nutritional functionality of forests, increasing roots uptake and translocation of minerals and water. The objective is to determine diversity of macromycetes in burned and unburned areas. Two sites (burned and not burned) in Iturbide, Nuevo León temperate forest were evaluated using 5 x 20 m plots. Results show 123 fungi species, 11 Ascomycetes and 112 Basidiomycetes in both study areas. The mycorrhizal species survived in the roots of the oak trees that regrew after the fire (Quercus affinis, Q. canbyi, Q. cupreata, Q. graciliformis, Q. graciliramis Q. laeta and Q. polymorpha). The burned site had 30 species, showing a 75.61% decrease in diversity as compared to the unburned site (118 species). Five of these fungi had not been registered in the last 38 years. They are Jafnea semitosta, Sphaerosporella brunnea, Hypholoma lateritium, Climacocystis sp. and Oligoporus sp. The last three are opportunistic; they established in stressed and weak trees. None pine species survived the fire. Results showed that richness and diversity of macromycetes were higher in unburned natural areas. Similarity between the two zones was low, since of the 123 species only 25 species were shared in both sites. Macromycetes were integrated in the Mycological Herbarium (CFNK) as reference and some strains with potential for cultivation are kept at the strain collection at the Faculty of Forest Sciences UANL. Keywords: Regeneration, survived, parasitic fungi, nutrition, school forest.