Temperate forests in Europe provide essential ecosystem services, such as carbon storage, water regulation, and habitat provision. However, they face significant threats from climate change and human disturbances. Biodiversity conservation is a priority of national and international policies, yet many aspects of forest diversity, particularly understorey plants, and fungi (including lichens) remain poorly understood. This project investigates the patterns and drivers of multi-taxon forest diversity in Italian forests using sites from the International Cooperative Programme on Forests LII network. The study focuses on soil fungal diversity, key players in nutrient cycling and forest resilience. In particular, we studied the vital soil microfungal component. Soil samples from ten Italian plots were analyzed using dilution plating to quantify and identify fungal strains. Functional traits such as xerotolerance and thermotolerance were assessed to explore their ecological roles and responses to environmental variables. Five plots were analyzed, revealing 1289 colony-forming units (CFUs) and 140 morphotypes. Molecular analysis refined genus identification. The most represented genera were Penicillium (55%), Trichoderma (9%), and Aspergillus(6%). Significant differences in fungal distribution among plots suggest the influence of soil type, forest composition, and organic matter. For instance, the TOS2 plot (Tuscany), dominated by holm oaks and sandy colluvial soil, showed higher fungal presence (248 CFUs) than BOL1 (Bolzano), dominated by Norway spruce and podzolic soil on drift (168 CFUs). The dominant genus also varied: Penicillium in TOS2 and Umbelopsis in BOL1. Culture-based tests on Penicillium and Aspergillus strains were conducted to characterize their functional traits. These findings will provide insights into their contributions to organic matter decomposition, symbiosis, and vegetation interactions, enhancing our understanding of forest ecosystem dynamics.
Fungi in Multi-Taxon analysis: updates from the PRIN MultiForDiv Project
Giandiego Campetella;Roberto Canullo;Marco Cervellini;Stefano Chelli;Maura Francioni;
2025-01-01
Abstract
Temperate forests in Europe provide essential ecosystem services, such as carbon storage, water regulation, and habitat provision. However, they face significant threats from climate change and human disturbances. Biodiversity conservation is a priority of national and international policies, yet many aspects of forest diversity, particularly understorey plants, and fungi (including lichens) remain poorly understood. This project investigates the patterns and drivers of multi-taxon forest diversity in Italian forests using sites from the International Cooperative Programme on Forests LII network. The study focuses on soil fungal diversity, key players in nutrient cycling and forest resilience. In particular, we studied the vital soil microfungal component. Soil samples from ten Italian plots were analyzed using dilution plating to quantify and identify fungal strains. Functional traits such as xerotolerance and thermotolerance were assessed to explore their ecological roles and responses to environmental variables. Five plots were analyzed, revealing 1289 colony-forming units (CFUs) and 140 morphotypes. Molecular analysis refined genus identification. The most represented genera were Penicillium (55%), Trichoderma (9%), and Aspergillus(6%). Significant differences in fungal distribution among plots suggest the influence of soil type, forest composition, and organic matter. For instance, the TOS2 plot (Tuscany), dominated by holm oaks and sandy colluvial soil, showed higher fungal presence (248 CFUs) than BOL1 (Bolzano), dominated by Norway spruce and podzolic soil on drift (168 CFUs). The dominant genus also varied: Penicillium in TOS2 and Umbelopsis in BOL1. Culture-based tests on Penicillium and Aspergillus strains were conducted to characterize their functional traits. These findings will provide insights into their contributions to organic matter decomposition, symbiosis, and vegetation interactions, enhancing our understanding of forest ecosystem dynamics.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
