Investigator’s Annual Reports (IAR’s) for Crater Lake National Park
Effects of Prescribed Burning on Mycorrhizal Fungi in Crater Lake National Park
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
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