Don&rsquo\;t forget to look up! Canopy soi ls occur on tree branches throughout the temperate rainforests of the Paci fic Northwest Coast and are recognized as a defining characteristic of the se ecosystems. Certain tree species extend roots from their branches into these canopy soil environments. Yet\, research on canopy root-associated f ungi remains limited. Our study used microscopy to compare fungal coloniza tion intensity between canopy and forest floor roots of old growth bigleaf maple trees. Then\, we explored the spatial and seasonal variation of roo t-associated fungal diversity between the two soil environments. We found that canopy and forest floor roots had similar fungal establishment and we re associating with a diversity of mutualistic fungi. Soil type and season ality affected root-associated fungal community composition\, and several fungal species were indicative of the canopy soil environment.
\nIn Washington State&rsquo\;s temperate old growth rainforests\, these canopy soil environments host a unique suite of root-associated fungi. The presen ce of arbuscular mycorrhizae provides further evidence that adventitious r oots form fungal associations to exploit canopy soils for resources\, and there may be novel relationships forming with other fungi. These soils may be providing a redundancy compartment (i.e.\, &lsquo\;nutrient reserve&rs quo\;) imparting a resiliency to disturbances for certain old-growth trees .
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About the Pre senter
\nDr. Korena Mafune was named a 2021 \;Washingto n Research Foundation \;Postdoctoral Fellow. Her postdoctoral research focuses on tripartite interactions among plants\, fungi\, and bacteria\, and how certain types of bacteria and fungi can be harnessed for sustainab le agricultural practices.
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About the Series
\nOlympic National Park: Perspectives Speaker Series
is hosted by NOLS in person and on Zoom. The free talks begin at 7pm on th
e second Tuesday of each month from January through April. No registration
is required. Recordings of the presentations will be available on NOLS YouTube channel within one week after the event.
The series is made possible through the wo rk of Olympic National Park\, the North Olympic Library System\, Discover Your Northwest\, and the Friends of Olympic National Park.
\n\nAttend at Port Angeles Main Library or Join Remotely
\n\nJoin Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83670593801
Meeting ID : 836 7059 3801
\nhttps://nols.libnet.info/event/12267618 URL;VALUE=URI:https://nols.libnet.info/event/12267618 ATTACH:https://static.libnet.info/images/events/nols/DrK_Mafune_Feb.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR