Effects of clear-cut logging on the diversity and persistence of ectomycorrhizae at a subalpine forest1

The mycelium extending from ectomycorrhizal fine roots is thought to be an important inoculum source for outplanted seedlings. The purpose of this study, carried out at a subalpine forest in British Columbia, was to investigate the effect of three different clear-cut sizes: 0.1, 1.0, and 10 ha, on the persistence and diversity of ectomycorrhizae. Over the course of the study, a total of 39 distinct mycorrhizal types were observed. The dominant types matched descriptions of E-strain mycorrhizae and of mycorrhizae formed by Cenococcum spp., two types of Lactarius spp., Piloderma spp., Hebeloma spp., Amphinema spp., and Cortinarius spp. One growing season after tree removal, there were no differences between the treatments in the numbers of active fine roots at any location nor were there any effects on the diversity of ectomycorrhizae with treatment. Two and three growing seasons after logging the persistence of some of the main morphotypes differed with treatment. Although there were no differences in the diversity indices at corresponding distances within the different opening sizes, after two and three growing seasons the numbers of active fine roots as well as the diversity of ectomycorrhizae in clearcuts was significantly reduced with distance from the forest edge.