Subgenus Mallocybe (Inocybe) in the Rocky Mountain alpine zone with molecular reference to European Arctic-alpine material

The genus Inocybe (including subgenus Mallocybe) is a significant component of the ectomycorrhizal community in arctic and alpine habitats in terms of both diversity and distribution. Species are associated primarily with low woody shrubs of Salix, Betula and Dryas. There is evidence that shrubs are expanding in arctic-alpine habitats making the ectomycorrhizal fungi that support them of high interest. Here we provide the first detailed report for six Mallocybe taxa with willows from the Rocky Mountains alpine zone(WY, MT, CO), including: Inocybe arthrocystis, I. dulcamara, I. leucoloma, I. leucoblema and in the I. fulvipes group, I. substraminipes and other taxa. Phylogenetic analysis matched Rocky Mountain specimens to arctic-alpine specimens from Scandinavia. ITS sequences of Kühner and Favre types specimens were used as references for several clades. Data suggest that these species have a broad intercontinental range in arctic-alpine habitats and a few are known from the subalpine. A key to Mallocybe species in the Rocky Mountains is provided along with type information

Designer Niches Promote Seedling Survival in Forest Restoration: A 7-Year Study of Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis) Seedlings in Waterton Lakes National Park

Designer niches in which environmental variables are controlled are useful in forest restoration to enhance survival of planted tree seedlings. Here, we evaluate particular manipulated habitats, on site variables, and pre-seedling conditions hypothesized to improve the survival rate of whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) seedlings out-planted in Waterton Lakes National Park. The tree species is in peril due to blister rust and mountain pine beetle infestations in its range; and is a restoration priority in Waterton Lakes because populations in the park are highly infected with blister rust (up to 90%). At Summit Lake, 21 plots were set up and half of each was terra-torched; 1000 seedlings were planted in clusters of three, under four conditions: on burned areas in burned beargrass mats, in burned areas where beargrass mats were not present, in unburned areas where beargrass was present, and in unburned areas without beargrass. This study reports data for the seventh year after planting, and overall, survival was 53% for individual seedlings and at least one seedling survived in 60.8% of clusters. Planting in burned areas increased cluster survival (by 34.3%, p ˂ 0.0001) and planting near microsites increased cluster survival (by 19.3%, p ˂ 0.0001); the type of microsite did not make a difference. Planting in beargrass mats decreased survival, but not significantly (8.9%, p = 0.11) and this was true for burns, not unburned areas. Inoculation with native ectomycorrhizal fungi did not enhance survival most likely because controls on lightly terra-torched and unburned areas had access to local native fungi. This is the first study to report statistics on the planting of seedlings in clusters; the results need to be compared with studies where seedlings are planted individually

Sporocarp δ15N and use of inorganic and organic nitrogen in vitro differ among host-specific suilloid fungi associated with high elevation five-needle pines

Widespread decline of whitebark and limber pines in the northern Rocky Mountains (USA) has created an imperative to understand functional diversity in their ectomycorrhizal associates. Because suilloid fungi are likely important in successful reestablishment of pines the nitrogen-related functional traits of 28 high-elevation suilloid isolates were examined. Radial growth, mass accumulation and mycelial density were measured for isolates on six different nitrogen sources. The δ15N values of suilloid sporocarps used as sources for pure cultures were compared against growth parameters to investigate a possible link between these N-related functional traits. Isolates grew poorly on nitrate and BSA and grew well on glutamine, alanyl-glutamine and ammonium phosphate, with somewhat slower growth on alanine. Isolates and species varied considerably in their growth response to different nitrogen sources. Effective use of nitrate and BSA was uncommon and associated with isolates with high inherent growth rates. Sporocarp δ15N was negatively correlated with relative growth on alanine of the corresponding isolates. Our results suggest strong similarities in N source use patterns of suilloid fungi of whitebark pine origin and those of another high-elevation five-needle stone pine, the Swiss stone pine

Barriers and Opportunities: Specialty Cultivated Mushroom Production in the United States

Producing and consuming specialty cultivated mushrooms (SCMs), cultivated mushrooms outside of the Agaricus genus, has the potential to positively impact sustainable food systems. Few studies have examined consumer perceptions of SCMs and industry-wide trends of SCM production in the United States (US), despite the USD 66.1 million in SCM sales in the US during 2020. This study looked at the barriers to and opportunities for cultivating, marketing, and consuming SCMs in the US by conducting a producer survey with SCM facilities in the US (n = 63). Survey results found diversification across products and practices within the SCM industry and on an individual business level. The most common place SCM growers sold their products was farmers’ markets (n = 63). The majority (53%) of growers (n = 60) used diverse (four or more) approaches to advertise their products. The majority of SCM growers (57%) indicated they had participated in a community outreach event in the past five years to help promote their SCM products (n = 63). Findings indicate there are opportunities for greater SCM business owner diversity. Our results indicate that production of SCMs may support economic, environmentally, and socio-culturally sustainable food systems and that there is further room for increased sustainability across the industry

Fire as a driver of fungal diversity - A synthesis of current knowledge

Fires occur in most terrestrial ecosystems where they drive changes in the traits, composition, and diversity of fungal communities. Fires range from rare, stand-replacing wildfires to frequent, prescribed fires used to mimic natural fire regimes. Fire regime factors, including burn severity, fire intensity, and timing, vary widely and likely determine how fungi respond to fires. Despite the importance of fungi to post-fire plant communities and ecosystem functioning, attempts to identify common fungal responses and their major drivers are lacking. This synthesis addresses this knowledge gap and ranges from fire adaptations of specific fungi to succession and assembly fungal communities as they respond to spatially heterogenous burning within the landscape. Fires impact fungi directly and indirectly through their effects on fungal survival, substrate and habitat modifications, changes in environmental conditions, and/or physiological responses of the hosts with which fungi interact. Some specific pyrophilous, or fire-loving, fungi often appear after fire. Our synthesis explores whether such taxa can be considered cosmopolitan, and whether they are truly fire-adapted or simply opportunists adapted to rapidly occupy substrates and habitats made available by fires. We also discuss the possible inoculum sources of post-fire fungi and explore existing conceptual models and ecological frameworks that may be useful in generalizing fungal fire responses. We conclude with identifying research gaps and areas that may best transform the current knowledge and understanding of fungal responses to fire