Mycorrhizas of tropical mountain forests

Molecular diversity and community structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and consequences for sustainable forestry

The symbiotic fungi are recognized by sequencing directly from the mycorrhizas. Molecular phylogeny yielded an overwhelming number of new fungal genotypes of Glomeromycota in the tropical mountain rain forest of Southern Ecuador and in the semi dry afro-montane forest of Ethiopia correcting the previous picture of only few, wide spread fungi. Statistic analysis revealed distinct preferences in associations of native trees and fungi depending on forest sites in the dry afro-montane forest [71, 72, 87]. Consequently, site and species adapted, native fungi should be used for afforestation efforts in future.

In contrast, molecular phylogeny did not show specific associations in the mega diverse tropical mountain forest of Southern Ecuador. Instead a network of hyphae may support the high tree diversity in the forest [82]. However, native tree plantations on open, man managed slopes may need other fungi than in the pristine forest [I. Haug, 86].

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Rare ectomycorrhizas in the tropical mountain rain forest

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