Biology ETDs

Publication Date

Spring 5-10-2019

Abstract

This dissertation examines how climate change affects mycorrhizal fungal communities in boreal and arctic ecosystems. In chapter one, I revealed that increases in fire severity and related increases in deciduous tree dominance result in greater Ascomycota relative abundance (RA) and subsequent declines in Basidiomycota RA. In chapter two I analyzed the effects of post-fire mycorrhizal fungal communites on host growth. There were trends at the fungal genus level that were largely reflected at the guild level across all hosts; however, there were some fungal genera that had the opposite effect on different host species. In chapter three, I found host and depth specific effects of warming temperatures on arctic fungal communities colonizing host plants. In all three chapters there was greater resilience of mycorrhizal fungal communities colonizing hosts that are increasing in dominance across their respective biomes, and general increases in Ascomycota RA with climate change.

Project Sponsors

National Science Foundation, Joint Fire Science Program, Bonanza Creek LTER, Arctic LTER

Language

English

Keywords

mycorrhizal fungi, climate change, boreal, arctic

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Biology

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

UNM Biology Department

First Committee Member (Chair)

Donald Lee Taylor

Second Committee Member

Donald Owen Natvig

Third Committee Member

Scott L. Collins

Fourth Committee Member

Michelle M. Mack

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