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Temporal variation in temperature and rainfall differentially affects ectomycorrhizal colonization at two contrasting sites
We examined the roles that seasonal shifts in precipitation and temperature played in the ectomycorrhizal (ECM) colonization of pinyon pine (Pinus edulis Engelm.) at two contrasting sites in northern Arizona. Pinyons growing in ash and cinder soils experienced much greater water and nutrient stress...
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Published in: | The New phytologist 1998-08, Vol.139 (4), p.733-739 |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | We examined the roles that seasonal shifts in precipitation and
temperature played in the ectomycorrhizal (ECM)
colonization of pinyon pine (Pinus edulis Engelm.) at two
contrasting sites in northern Arizona. Pinyons growing
in ash and cinder soils experienced much greater water and nutrient stress
than pinyons growing nearby in sandy-loam soils. Over a one year period,
we obtained monthly measurements of ECM colonization, root zone soil
moisture and temperature, and air temperature and precipitation.
Four major patterns emerged. Firstly, although
climate as measured by ambient temperature and precipitation did
not vary between the two sites, soil temperature
was significantly higher and soil moisture significantly lower at
the cinder site than at the sandy-loam site.
Secondly, ECM colonization was significantly higher at the cinder
site for 5 of 12 months. Thirdly, although
nearly 70% of the variation in ECM colonization of pinyons growing
in cinder soil was predicted by a combination
of soil moisture and soil temperature, these same variables had
little predictive power for pinyons growing in
sandy-loam soils. Air temperature and precipitation were also
significantly correlated with ECM colonization at
the cinder site but not the sandy-loam site. Fourthly, a watering
experiment showed that ECM colonization
significantly increased with supplemental water at the cinder site,
but not at the sandy-loam site. Thus, in two sites
that did not differ in plant community or climate, ectomycorrhizas
in cinder soils were far more sensitive to
changes in moisture and temperature than ectomycorrhizas in sandy-loam
soils. |
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ISSN: | 0028-646X 1469-8137 |
DOI: | 10.1046/j.1469-8137.1998.00234.x |