Species Diversity and Community Composition of Macrofungi in the Dongling Mountains, Western Beijing, China.

Abstract

Macrofungi are a group of fungi with important ecological functions and economic value in forest ecosystems. In this study, the species diversity and community composition of macrofungi in different areas, vegetation types, and elevation gradients from the Lingshan Natural Scenic Area and Xiaolongmen National Forest Park of the Dongling Mountains, Western Beijing were investigated. A total of 1379 specimens were collected. All specimens were identified by morphological and molecular methods, resulting in the identification of 311 species belonging to two phyla, four classes, 18 orders, 74 families, and 147 genera. The alpha diversity analysis indicated that the alpha diversity was significantly different among different vegetation types. The Betula spp. and Populus davidiana of the Lingshan Natural Scenic Area, and Quercus liaotungensis of Xiaolongmen National Forest Park had higher macrofungal alpha diversity. The difference in alpha diversity between the two areas was not significant. The principal coordinate analysis indicated a significant difference in macrofungal community composition among different vegetation types. The fungal community composition of the two areas was also significantly different. The fungal species richness and unique species tended to increase and then decrease with increasing elevation. The species composition of neighboring elevation gradients was more similar. The macrofungal species richness and the number of unique species were not significantly affected by elevation gradient. The vegetation types with higher fungal alpha diversity in the Dongling Mountains were Betula spp., Populus davidiana, and Quercus liaotungensis, and there were abundant fungal species in deciduous broad-leaved mixed forests. Macrofungal diversity and community composition was significantly affected by vegetation type. To better protect the macrofungi, the protection of these four vegetation types in the Dongling Mountains should be strengthened in the future.