Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity associated with an endangered species, Chamaecyparis formosensis, in the nature habitat

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are keystone species in the terrestrial ecosystem. Application of AM fungi play a critical role in forestry or ecological restoration. Chamaecyparis formosensis is endemic to Taiwan and threatened by habitat loss and over-cutting. How to protect and increase their populations has become an important issue to be addressed. An efficient ecological strategy was to applicate native mycorrhizal community for afforestation programs, such as mycorrhizal inoculation in the seedling stage. Therefore, it is important to know the native AM fungal community associated with C. formosensis. In this study, we investigated the diversity of AM fungi associated with C. formosensis along an altitudinal gradient (1200–2500 m) in their natural habitat by observing and identifying the spores from soil. A total of 1071 spores belonging to 26 AM fungal species were isolated and identified. AM fungal species diversity and spore density were not correlated with the altitude of the study sites. However, spore composition of AM fungi changed responding to area and altitudes significantly. Acaulospora laevis, Sclerocystis rubiformis and Acaulospora morrowiae distributed widely and were especially abundant occurring in 35.0%, 21.0% and 8.9% of all spores, respectively. Acaulospora koskei prefer the medium and high elevation whereas Acaulospora mellea prefer low elevation. The diversity of AM fungi associated with C. formosensis along an altitudinal gradient was presented. This data provides avenues for the protection and cultivation of C. formosensis in different area and elevations.