Fungal Diversity And Seasonal Succession Under Invasive Moss Campylopus Introflexus And Other Plants In Disturbed Peatlands

Abstract The distribution of invasive moss Campylopus introflexus (Hedw.) Brid. may have negative influence on natural restoration of plant cover in peatlands due to the accumulation of heavy decomposing residues and suppression of the growth of microorganisms in peat. Species composition of fungal communities and seasonal succession under mosses C. introflexus and Polytrichum strictum, vascular plant Calluna vulgaris and bare peat were studied in two naturally regenerating disturbed peatlands in Lithuania. Cultivable fungi were isolated from peat and enumerated by applying the serial dilution plate technique. A total of 66 species of fungi ascribed to 21 genera (among these 30 species from 13 genera under moss C. introflexus) were identified. Fungus species of the genera Penicillium, Trichoderma, Mortierella and Paecilomyces dominated. The highest diversity of fungal species was found in Laukėsa under Calluna vulgaris. Differences in the structure of fungal communities were found in Mūšos Tyrelis in autumn and in Laukėsa in spring. Significant differences in species diversity under various plants were obtained only in summer. The Gleason species diversity index for peat under C. introflexus was not very high (1.77–2.58) in different seasons. Fungal species composition under moss C. introflexus did not show pronounced characteristic peculiarities compared to other plants and was similar to that in bare peat. The obtained data are important for the prediction of fungal community succession in peatlands and biodegradation level of plant residues.