Microfungal diversity on needle litter in clearcut and mature forest stands

The effect of clearcutting on the diversity of microfungi inhabiting needle litter was investigated in temperate and boreal coniferous forests in five provinces across Canada. Standardized needle litters were incubated on the forest floor of clearcut and adjacent mature stands for two years and 57 microfungal species were isolated. The results showed that species richness of microfungi was significantly lower in clearcut than in mature stands. The decreased species richness was primarily attributed to the decrease of seven major fungal species. The species composition was significantly different between clearcut and mature stands. Such shifts in microfungal diversity in response to clearcutting may lead to changes in needle litter decomposition on the forest floor.