Ectomycorrhizal response to bark beetle attack: a comparison of dead and surviving trees
Bark beetle outbreaks have become increasingly prevalent and intense, causing widespread tree mortality and altering forest ecosystems globally. In this study, we investigate the dynamics between tree root systems of the Norway spruce and ectomycorrhizal fungi in the aftermath of bark beetle-induced...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Forests and Global Change |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2025.1492622/full |
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| author | Roman Modlinger Vítězslava Pešková Jan Zelený Markéta Macháčová Martin Leiner Daniel Tyšer Oto Nakládal Václav Zumr Peter Surový |
| author_facet | Roman Modlinger Vítězslava Pešková Jan Zelený Markéta Macháčová Martin Leiner Daniel Tyšer Oto Nakládal Václav Zumr Peter Surový |
| author_sort | Roman Modlinger |
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| description | Bark beetle outbreaks have become increasingly prevalent and intense, causing widespread tree mortality and altering forest ecosystems globally. In this study, we investigate the dynamics between tree root systems of the Norway spruce and ectomycorrhizal fungi in the aftermath of bark beetle-induced tree mortality, focusing on the changes in density of vital and non-vital mycorrhizal tips. The survey was carried out in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czechia. The sampling sites were chosen based on polygon layers delineating individual years of mortality status, obtained by PlanetLab imagery for 2018–2022, classified by Support Vector Machine, a machine learning tool (SVM). Fieldwork involved the collection of soil and root samples. Mycorrhizal tips were examined and counted using a stereomicroscope. Soil pH and root dry weight were determined. Wood decay fungi were identified using a comprehensive approach, combining macroscopic examination with genetic analysis. Due to the favorable conditions, the density of vital mycorrhizal tips (VM) on living trees gradually increased, peaking in the 2nd and 3rd years after the surrounding forest decay. VM on bark beetle snags was significantly lower compared to living trees, with minimal variation over time. The dry biomass of fine roots was significantly greater in living trees. Fine root abundance showed a slight decrease over time in living and dead trees; however, there was a lack of statistical significance. Most of the fine root biomass decomposes within the first half year after tree death. This might be influenced by wood decay fungi identified on dead trees, including genera Armillaria, Fomitopsis, and Pleurotus ostreatus. Overall, the study provides insights into the complex dynamics of mycorrhizal associations, root system biomass, and wood decay fungi in the aftermath of bark beetle-induced tree mortality. Our study demonstrates that mycorrhizal activity increases in trees surviving a bark beetle disturbance, and they probably become another ECM refugia. This research contributes valuable insights into the ecological consequences of bark beetle infestations on below-ground interactions, offering a deeper understanding of forest ecosystem responses to widespread tree mortality. Such knowledge is essential for developing effective strategies to manage and mitigate the ecological impacts of bark beetle outbreaks in forested environments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d826fe32293840cd95b3859f0703cec5 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2624-893X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Forests and Global Change |
| spelling | doaj-art-d826fe32293840cd95b3859f0703cec52025-08-20T01:54:16ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Forests and Global Change2624-893X2025-04-01810.3389/ffgc.2025.14926221492622Ectomycorrhizal response to bark beetle attack: a comparison of dead and surviving treesRoman Modlinger0Vítězslava Pešková1Jan Zelený2Markéta Macháčová3Martin Leiner4Daniel Tyšer5Oto Nakládal6Václav Zumr7Peter Surový8Forest Risk Research Centre, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, CzechiaDepartment of Forest Protection and Entomology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, CzechiaForest Risk Research Centre, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, CzechiaDepartment of Forest Protection and Entomology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, CzechiaForest Risk Research Centre, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, CzechiaForest Risk Research Centre, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, CzechiaDepartment of Forest Protection and Entomology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, CzechiaDepartment of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, CzechiaDepartment of Forest Management and Remote Sensing, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, CzechiaBark beetle outbreaks have become increasingly prevalent and intense, causing widespread tree mortality and altering forest ecosystems globally. In this study, we investigate the dynamics between tree root systems of the Norway spruce and ectomycorrhizal fungi in the aftermath of bark beetle-induced tree mortality, focusing on the changes in density of vital and non-vital mycorrhizal tips. The survey was carried out in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czechia. The sampling sites were chosen based on polygon layers delineating individual years of mortality status, obtained by PlanetLab imagery for 2018–2022, classified by Support Vector Machine, a machine learning tool (SVM). Fieldwork involved the collection of soil and root samples. Mycorrhizal tips were examined and counted using a stereomicroscope. Soil pH and root dry weight were determined. Wood decay fungi were identified using a comprehensive approach, combining macroscopic examination with genetic analysis. Due to the favorable conditions, the density of vital mycorrhizal tips (VM) on living trees gradually increased, peaking in the 2nd and 3rd years after the surrounding forest decay. VM on bark beetle snags was significantly lower compared to living trees, with minimal variation over time. The dry biomass of fine roots was significantly greater in living trees. Fine root abundance showed a slight decrease over time in living and dead trees; however, there was a lack of statistical significance. Most of the fine root biomass decomposes within the first half year after tree death. This might be influenced by wood decay fungi identified on dead trees, including genera Armillaria, Fomitopsis, and Pleurotus ostreatus. Overall, the study provides insights into the complex dynamics of mycorrhizal associations, root system biomass, and wood decay fungi in the aftermath of bark beetle-induced tree mortality. Our study demonstrates that mycorrhizal activity increases in trees surviving a bark beetle disturbance, and they probably become another ECM refugia. This research contributes valuable insights into the ecological consequences of bark beetle infestations on below-ground interactions, offering a deeper understanding of forest ecosystem responses to widespread tree mortality. Such knowledge is essential for developing effective strategies to manage and mitigate the ecological impacts of bark beetle outbreaks in forested environments.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2025.1492622/fullNorway spruceIps typographusrootdeadwooddisturbanceforest health |
| spellingShingle | Roman Modlinger Vítězslava Pešková Jan Zelený Markéta Macháčová Martin Leiner Daniel Tyšer Oto Nakládal Václav Zumr Peter Surový Ectomycorrhizal response to bark beetle attack: a comparison of dead and surviving trees Frontiers in Forests and Global Change Norway spruce Ips typographus root deadwood disturbance forest health |
| title | Ectomycorrhizal response to bark beetle attack: a comparison of dead and surviving trees |
| title_full | Ectomycorrhizal response to bark beetle attack: a comparison of dead and surviving trees |
| title_fullStr | Ectomycorrhizal response to bark beetle attack: a comparison of dead and surviving trees |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ectomycorrhizal response to bark beetle attack: a comparison of dead and surviving trees |
| title_short | Ectomycorrhizal response to bark beetle attack: a comparison of dead and surviving trees |
| title_sort | ectomycorrhizal response to bark beetle attack a comparison of dead and surviving trees |
| topic | Norway spruce Ips typographus root deadwood disturbance forest health |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2025.1492622/full |
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