Ecological relationships among hypogeous fungi and trees: inferences from association analysis integrated with habitat modeling

Summary: Association analyses by contingency tables and generalised linear modelling were compared to infer relationships among hypogeous (belowground-fruiting) ectomycorrhizal fungi and potential host tree species from 136 study plots located in forested habitats in south-eastern mainland Australia.  Results from both types of statistical approaches were highly congruent.  As with previous experimental studies, no exclusive fungus-host tree associations were identified.  However, the likelihood of occurrence of some species of fungi increased significantly in the presence of particular host tree species, suggesting fungal host preference or shared habitat preferences.  Similarly, while most associations among fungal species were non-significant, a few fungi were more likely to be found in the presence of certain other fungi.  Such positively associated fungi are thought to share common climatic and micro-habitat requirements or host preferences.  In contrast, some species of fungi were negatively associated with one another, likely indicating different habitat preferences.  These data allow identification of commonalities in ecology and habitat or host preferences among different fungal taxa.  Furthermore, the finding that some fungi occurred more frequently in the presence of some tree species provides a starting point for selection of compatible host-fungus combinations that could be used for forest nursery and restoration applications.

Key Words: Acacia, Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, ectomycorrhizae, Eucalyptus, fungal communities, south-eastern Australia

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