The Effects of Silvicultural Treatments on Occurrence of Mycorrhizal Sporocarps in a Pinus contorta Forest: A Preliminary Study

A preliminary survey was conducted to evaluate the effects of thinning and clearcutting, followed by replanting, on mycorrhizal fungi. A total of 48 species of mycorrhizal fungi was recorded for the study site. Suillus brevipes and S. tomentosus were the dominant species. Data from the survey indicate that thinning reduced the total number of species as compared to an undisturbed stand. Some fungi were adversely affected by thinning while others were positively affected. Members of the Hygrophoraceae appeared to be most susceptible to mild disturbance such as thinning. While clearcutting had a negative impact on the total number of sporocarps of mycorrhizal fungi, Suillus brevipes increased in percent abundance as severity of disturbance increased