Communities of larger fungi of ombrotrophic bogs in West Siberia

• Main Authors: N.V. Filippova, M.N. Thormann
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: International Mire Conservation Group and International Peatland Society 2014
• Subjects: ecology of fungi; fungal diversity; macrofungi; oligotrophic bog; peatland; Ecology; QH540-549.5; khanty; taiga; Siberia
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/651286bb21f9493b9050297579314ff8

Bogs are common ecosystems in the Taiga of West Siberia. Little is known about mycological diversity in these important ecosystems. This article summarises the results of a two-year study of the macrofungi in two bogs near the town of Khanty-Mansiysk. Sporocarps were collected in 20 plots (about 300 m2) established in Mukhrino Bog as well as during random walks in Mukhrino Bog and Chistoe Bog in the late summer–autumn of 2012 and 2013. The plots were established in two common bog habitats representing the Ledo-Sphagnetum fusci (LS) and Scheuchzerio palustris-Sphagnetum cuspidati (SS) plant community associations. A total of 59 distinct fungal taxa were collected from the two bogs, with the LS association having a higher species richness and diversity than the SS association (50 taxa vs. 16 taxa and 30–40 taxa per 1000 m2 vs. 6–10 taxa per 1000 m2, respectively). Each of the two plant community associations has its own characteristic fungal taxa, with the LS association having 13 characteristic taxa and the SS association having five. Nearly two thirds of the fungal taxa are saprotrophic, mainly of Sphagnum spp., while others are mycorrhizal, mainly with Pinus spp. Most taxa were collected fewer than ten times during the study period and, hence, are considered rare and may need to be recognised for conservation programmes in this region.