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Genevieve negotiating one of the logs on the Warra transect. |
Image: Genevieve Gates and David Ratkowsky |
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The basidiomycete Amanita ochrophylla. |
Image: Genevieve Gates and David Ratkowsky. |
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The basidiomycete Tremella fimbriata ('jelly fungus'). |
Image: Genevieve Gates and David Ratkowsky. |
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An unidentified species of Coprinus. |
Image: Genevieve Gates and David Ratkowsky. |
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Dermocybe kula. |
Image: Genevieve Gates and David Ratkowsky. |
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Project summary:
This survey of the macrofungi at the Warra long-term ecological research site documents the mycota present in these forests over a full year and their substrate associations, and compares the mycota of a mature forest control coupe with that of a regenerating clearfelled, burnt and sown coupe 2-3 years after sowing. Both sites form part of the Warra silvicultural systems trial (SST) area. A total of 307 species was recorded, with 176 species unique to the control coupe, 59 species unique to the regenerating coupe, and a further 72 species common to both coupes. Many species were recorded only once, and many further species would be expected to be detected with increased survey effort. Seasonal effects were clearly observed in both coupes, with many more species appearing in the autumn and winter months than in spring and summer in both coupes. Most species were associated with either soil or with wood, primarily dead wood. This highlights the need to ensure soils and coarse woody debris are managed with biodiversity in mind. Most mycorrhizal species were largely confined to the control coupe, supporting the idea that such species may take many years to establish following major disturbance. The regenerating coupe contained many non-mycorrhizal fungi but most were no more likely to be found in the regenerating coupe than in the control coupe.
A follow-up project is aimed at further exploring the mycoflora of the Silvicultural Systems Trial area in an aggregated retention coupe.
Methodology: The two coupes used for the present study were located at the Warra LTER Site in Tasmania’s southern forests, at an approximate latitude of 43º06’S and longitude of 146º42’E. Coupe WR008J (‘mature forest’) had no previous history of logging, and coupe WR008H (‘regeneration’) had been managed according to the standard silvicultural practice in lowland wet eucalypt forest of clearfell, burn and sow (CBS), albeit with the inclusion of a series of understorey islands. This coupe was harvested, burned and sown with eucalypt seed in 2001. Both coupes were surveyed 27 times between 12 June 2003 and 29 June 2004 at approximately fortnightly intervals. In the mature forest, a walking track ran for about 1300 m in total length. This track was followed in a clockwise direction during all 27 visits to the coupe. Any macrofungal species that was seen was recorded, irrespective of its distance from the track. Where it was possible to leave the track and sample surrounding areas, this was sometimes done, without adhering to any strict protocol. The regeneration, having only had 26–38 months to grow since sowing, could be easily traversed. Each traverse was for an approximately similar length to that of each visit to the mature forest. A similar, although not identical, traverse was used at each visit, always encompassing both G- and T-type parts of the coupe. For both coupes, all species of macrofungi found were recorded as formal names or as ‘tag’ names, along with a note of the substrate on which they appeared. The substrates were categorised as soil, wood, litter (leaf or small twigs), moss and dung. All collections were supported with descriptions, drawings and photographs outlining macroscopic and microscopic features. Material was collected wherever possible and deposited in the Tasmanian Herbarium as voucher material for this study and as a reference collection for future studies.
Datasets: None available.
Publications: Gates, G.M. & Noordeloos, M. (2007). Preliminary studies in the genus Entoloma in Tasmania – I. Persoonia 19: 157-226.
Gates, G.M., Ratkowsky, D.A. & Grove, S.J. (2005). A comparison of macrofungi in young silvicultural regeneration and mature forest at the Warra LTER site in the Southern Forests of Tasmania. Tasforests 16: 127-152.
Noordeloos, M. & Gates, G.M. (2009). Preliminary studies in the genus Entoloma in Tasmania – II. Cryptogamie, Mycologie 30: 107-140.
Ratkowsky, D.A. & Gates, G.M. (2008). Macrofungi in early stages of forest regeneration in Tasmania’s southern forests. Tasforests 18: 56-66.
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