The production and turnover of extramatrical mycelium of ectomycorrhizal fungi in forest soils: role in carbon cycling

• DOI: 10.1007/s11104-013-1630-3
• Publication Date: 2013-02-25T10:24:02Z
• Authors: A. Ekblad; H. Wallander; D. L. Godbold; C. Cruz; D. Johnson; P. Baldrian; R. G. Björk; D. Epron; B. Kieliszewska-R...; R. Kjøller; H. Kraigher; E. Matzner; J. Neumann; C. Plassard
• Keywords: Ectomycorrhiza; Cycling; Nutrient cycle

There is growing evidence of the importance extramatrical mycelium (EMM) mycorrhizal fungi in carbon (C) cycling ecosystems. However, our understanding has until recently been mainly based on laboratory experiments, and knowledge such basic parameters as variations mycelial production, standing biomass turnover well regulatory mechanisms behind forest soils limited. Presently, production EMM by ectomycorrhizal (EM) estimated at ~140 different sites to be up several hundreds kg per ha year, but published data are biased towards Picea abies Scandinavia. Little known about other systems, its influence C stored or lost from soils. Here, focussing ectomycorrhizas, we discuss factors that regulate role soil dynamics, identifying important gaps this knowledge. availability seems key factor determining possibly forests direct effects mineral nutrient can important. great uncertainty rate EMM. increasing residues EM play a major formation stable N SOM, which highlights need include models global stores.