Fungal Diversity And Seasonal Succession Under Invasive Moss Campylopus Introflexus And Other Plants In Disturbed Peatlands

The distribution of invasive moss Campylopus introflexus (Hedw.) Brid. may have negative influence on natural restoration of plant cover in peatlands due to the accumulation of heavy decomposing residues and suppression of the growth of microorganisms in peat. Species composition of fungal communities and seasonal succession under mosses C. introflexus and Polytrichum strictum, vascular plant Calluna vulgaris and bare peat were studied in two naturally regenerating disturbed peatlands in Lithuania. Cultivable fungi were isolated from peat and enumerated by applying the serial dilution plate technique. A total of 66 species of fungi ascribed to 21 genera (among these 30 species from 13 genera under moss C. introflexus) were identified. Fungus species of the genera Penicillium, Trichoderma, Mortierella and Paecilomyces dominated. The highest diversity of fungal species was found in Laukėsa under Calluna vulgaris. Differences in the structure of fungal communities were found in Mūšos Tyrelis in autumn and in Laukėsa in spring. Significant differences in species diversity under various plants were obtained only in summer. The Gleason species diversity index for peat under C. introflexus was not very high (1.77–2.58) in different seasons. Fungal species composition under moss C. introflexus did not show pronounced characteristic peculiarities compared to other plants and was similar to that in bare peat. The obtained data are important for the prediction of fungal community succession in peatlands and biodegradation level of plant residues.

Cellulose-decomposing fungi in Peatlands occupied by invasive moss Campylopus introflexus

Repečkienė J., Jukonienė I., Salina O., 2012: Cellulose-decomposing fungi in peatlands occupied by invasive moss Campylopus introflexus [Celiuliozę skaidantys grybai durpynuose, kuriuose plinta invazinė samana Campylopusintroflexus]. - Bot. Lith., 18(1): 46-57. Studies on the abundance and genera composition of cellulose-decomposing fungi in four differently disturbed peatlands occupied by invasive moss Campylopus introflexus were carried out in autumn, spring and summer seasons. The abundance of fungi under C. introflexus was compared with the abundance of fungal communities under other plants occupying the same habitats (Polytrichum strictum, Eriophorum angustifolium, Callunavulgaris) and bare peat. The serial dilution plate technique was applied for isolation and enumeration of cellulose- decomposing fungi. The large amount of organic matter as well as acidic reaction of peat creates favourable conditions for the development of fungi at the studied sites. The number of cellulose-decomposing fungi depended on the peatland type, prevailing plants and season. The richness of fungal genera (15) was determined under Campylopus introflexus. Fungal isolates belonging to the Penicillium, Trichoderma, Fusarium genera and the Zygomycetes class prevailed.

Characteristics of atypical Huperzia selago subsp. arctica habitats to the south of distribution area

Two localities for <em>Huperzia selago </em>subsp. <em>arctica </em>are recorded from Lithuania, to the south of its known distribution area. The habitats of this subspecies are cutover peatlands whose natural vegetation was disturbed 6-8 years ago during peat exploitation. One of the dominant species of latest vegetation cover is the invasive bryophyte <em>Campylopus introflexus</em>. Characteristics of the habitats of <em>H. selago </em>subsp. <em>arctica </em>and the frequency of this taxon in populations were analysed.