The impact of cropping system, tillage and season on shaping soil fungal community in a long-term field trial

ABSTRACT Stump removal is a common forest management practice used to reduce the mortality of trees affected by the fungal pathogen-mediated root disease, Armillaria root rot, but the impact of stumping on soil fungal community structure is not well understood. This study analyzed the long-term impact of stumping and tree species composition on the abundance, diversity and taxonomic composition of soil fungal communities using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) marker-based DNA metabarcoding in a 48-year-old trial at Skimikin, British Columbia. A total of 108 samples were collected from FH (fermented and humus layers), and soil mineral horizons (A and B) from stumped and unstumped plots of six tree species treatments (pure stands and admixtures of Douglas-fir, western red-cedar and paper birch). Fungal α-diversity in the A horizon significantly increased with stumping regardless of tree species composition, while β-diversity was significantly affected by stumping in all the horizons. We also observed that the relative abundance of the saprotrophic fungal community declined while that of the ectomycorrhizal fungal community increased with stumping. In conclusion, increase in ectomycorrhizal fungal associations, which are positively associated with tree productivity, suggests that stumping can be considered a good management practice for mitigating root disease and promoting tree regeneration.

Download Full-text

Redevelopment of biological activity in stripmine spoils: saprotrophic fungi – abstract

Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Section B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1017/s0269727000007156 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 94 ◽

pp. 85-85

Author(s):

Suzanne Visser

Keyword(s):

Fungal Community ◽

Soil Disturbance ◽

Plant Residues ◽

Fungal Community Composition ◽

Saprotrophic Fungi ◽

Fungal Community Structure ◽

Soil Fungal Community ◽

And Function ◽

The Impact ◽

Decomposition Of Plant Residues

The impact of severe soil disturbance on soil fungal community composition and function and how this relates to the resultant decomposition/mineralisation process is very poorly understood. Consequently, research was conducted to determine: (a) to what degree fungal community structure and potential function are altered in a sub-alpine coal mine spoil (Luscar, Alberta), and (b) how do alterations in the fungal community affect patterns of fungal colonisation and decomposition of plant residues deposited on recently mined soil.

Download Full-text

Ethics of Primate Fieldwork: Toward an Ethically Engaged Primatology

Annual Review of Anthropology ◽

10.1146/annurev-anthro-102317-045913 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 493-512 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Erin P. Riley ◽

Michelle Bezanson

Keyword(s):

Best Practices ◽

Field Research ◽

Anthropogenic Factors ◽

Ethical Practice ◽

Theoretical Frameworks ◽

Population Sizes ◽

History Of ◽

The Impact ◽

Term Field

Field primatologists have ethical responsibilities that extend beyond study subjects to the local human communities living near primate populations and their surrounding ecosystems. In this review, we explore the history of ethical discussions within anthropological primatology and examine the best practices for an ethically engaged primatology that should be followed and role-modeled by primatologists. An increasing number of primates are showing reduced population sizes and are in imminent danger of extinction; thus, we need to carefully consider the ethics of intervening to ensure the survival of remaining populations, the impact of anthropogenic factors (e.g., climate change), and whether long-term field research results in conservation outcomes that consider local human communities. Because best practices change over time as theoretical frameworks and methodological tools advance and scientific goals change, field primatologists must continually reflect on what constitutes ethical practice and consider how research influences the overlapping dimensions of fieldwork: primates, people, and ecosystems.

Download Full-text