Biology ETDs

Publication Date

Spring 4-15-2025

Abstract

Tree mortality can have cascading effects on the composition and resilience of interacting fungal communities. Yet, little is known about the impact tree mortality, distinct from abiotic drivers (i.e., drought), has on these communities. This dissertation focuses on the resilience of fungal communities to experimental tree mortality in a piñon-juniper woodland. In chapter one, I found that piñon mortality reduced piñon fine root biomass and piñon mycorrhizal fungal diversity, whereas juniper mycorrhizal fungi were unaffected by juniper mortality. In chapter two, I revealed that piñon mortality altered the composition and spatial structure of mycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi in the soil, but juniper mortality had minimal effect. In chapter three, I discovered that tree mortality, abiotic factors and individual mycorrhizal fungi had positive effects on seedlings. Across all chapters, piñon and associated mycorrhizal fungi were almost always negatively impacted by tree mortality, whereas juniper, and their mycorrhizal fungi, were either unaffected, or benefited.

Project Sponsors

National Science Foundation, Sevilleta LTER

Language

English

Keywords

mycorrhizal fungi, tree mortality, Pinus edulis, Juniperus monosperma, climate change, fungal ecology

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Biology

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

UNM Biology Department

First Committee Member (Chair)

D. Lee Taylor

Second Committee Member

Jennifer Rudgers

Third Committee Member

Marcy Litvak

Fourth Committee Member

Catherine Gehring

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