Recurrent fires do not affect the abundance of soil fungi in a frequently burned pine savanna. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hansen, Paige M.; Semenova-Nelsen, Tatiana A.; Platt, William J.; Sikes, Benjamin A.
• Is Part Of: Fungal ecology. Volume 42(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Fungi -- Ecology -- Periodicals; Mycology -- Periodicals; 579.517
• DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2019.07.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1754-5048

Abstract

Abstract: While the negative effects of infrequent, high-intensity fire on soil fungal abundance are well-understood, it remains unclear how the short-term history of frequent, low-intensity fire in fire-dependent ecosystems impacts abundance, and whether this history governs any abundance declines. We used prescribed fire to experimentally alter the short-term fire history of patches within a fire-frequented old-growth pine savanna over a 3 y period. We then quantified fungal abundance before and after the final fire using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) assays and Droplet Digital™ PCR (ddPCR). Short-term fire history largely did not affect total fungal abundance nor pre-to post-fire abundance shifts. While producing similar conclusions, PLFA and ddPCR data were not correlated. In addition to piloting a new method to quantify soil fungal abundance, our findings indicate that, within fire-frequented pine savannas, recurrent fires do not consistently decrease total fungal abundance, and abundance changes are not contingent upon short-term fire history. This suggests that many fungi in fire-dependent ecosystems are fire-tolerant. Highlights: We quantified pre- and post-fire total soil fungal abundance using ddPCR and PLFA. Variations in short-term fire history largely did not affect total fungal abundance. Pre-to post-fire abundance changes are not contingent on recent fire history. Fungal quantification with novel ddPCR is just as effective as established PLFA.