| Abstract Detail
Ecology/Pathology Hiscox, Jennifer [1], Savoury, M [1], Rogers, H [1], Muller, C [1], Boddy, Lynne [1]. What is present affects what is to come: fungal community dynamics in decaying wood. Wood decay basidiomycetes are crucial to the functioning of all woodland and forest ecosystems, through decomposition of recalcitrant lignocellulose and release of bound carbon. If we are to predict how environmental change will alter ecosystem function with regard to wood decay fungi, we must first fully understand the processes and community dynamics occurring between them. The importance of the identity of early colonisers of wood on subsequent community development was examined by pre-colonising beech disks with nine wood decay species from various stages of succession. These disks were placed in the field for 6-24 months, following which the fungal community within was determined using a variety of techniques: reisolation onto agar, outgrowth from the disk, and 454 pyrosequencing. An inverse relationship between position in the succession community and retention of territory within the resource over time was found, with very quick replacment of primary coloniser species but persistence of later stage colonisers. Significant differences in community profiles following prior colonisation by ascomycete or basidiomycete species were detected, with certain pre-coloniser basidiomycetes resulting in distinct subsequent community profiles. Preceding colonisers thus drive patterns of community development within woody resources, with earlier colonisers effectively 'selecting' for their successors, ultimately determining the decay rate of the resource.
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1 - Cardiff University, Biological Sciences, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3AX, UK
Keywords:
wood decay
community structure
interactions
Metagenomics.
Presentation Type: Offered Paper - Paper
Session: 15
Location: Auditorium/Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
Date: Wednesday, June 11th, 2014
Time: 11:00 AM
Number: 15003
Abstract ID:107
Candidate for Awards:None |
