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Learn how canopy soils contribute to old-growth tree resiliency and ecosystem function. Join in person or on Zoom.
Don’t forget to look up! Canopy soils occur on tree branches throughout the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest Coast and are recognized as a defining characteristic of these ecosystems. Certain tree species extend roots from their branches into these canopy soil environments. Yet, research on canopy root-associated fungi remains limited. Our study used microscopy to compare fungal colonization intensity between canopy and forest floor roots of old growth bigleaf maple trees. Then, we explored the spatial and seasonal variation of root-associated fungal diversity between the two soil environments. We found that canopy and forest floor roots had similar fungal establishment and were associating with a diversity of mutualistic fungi. Soil type and seasonality affected root-associated fungal community composition, and several fungal species were indicative of the canopy soil environment.
In Washington State’s temperate old growth rainforests, these canopy soil environments host a unique suite of root-associated fungi. The presence of arbuscular mycorrhizae provides further evidence that adventitious roots 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., ‘nutrient reserve’) imparting a resiliency to disturbances for certain old-growth trees.
About the Presenter
Dr. Korena Mafune was named a 2021 Washington 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 sustainable agricultural practices.
About the Series
Olympic National Park: Perspectives Speaker Series is hosted by NOLS in person and on Zoom. The free talks begin at 7pm on the 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 work of Olympic National Park, the North Olympic Library System, Discover Your Northwest, and the Friends of Olympic National Park.
Attend at Port Angeles Main Library or Join Remotely
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83670593801
Meeting ID: 836 7059 3801
AGE GROUP: | Teens | Older Adults | Adults |
EVENT TYPE: | Virtual | Special Events | Nature, Science & Tech | Info & Skills |
The main library is home to the Raymond Carver Room, Margaret Coffey Room, study rooms, and the archive room with local history resources.
