Pine forest ectomycorrhizal fungi

Pine forests are rich habitat for ectomycorrhizal fungi, of which many are host specific or selective for Pines (Pinus spp.). Here we focus on three important groups of ectomycorrhizal fungi of relevance to the conservation of pine forest ecosystems in Europa, i.e. Webcaps (Cortinarius sensu lato), Stiptate thelephoroid hydnoid, poroid fungi, and Knights (Tricholoma). Learn more about the campaign from our booklet.

The three target groups differ considerably in species diversity and knowledge-level, While the stipitate thelephoroids comprise some 50-60 species in Europe, the web caps include more than 1000 species, of which many associate with Pines. All three groups include poorly resolved species complexes and still unknown species for sure hide among the webcaps. Even for many well-known taxa habitat associations and conservation needs are poorly understood at the continental scale. Our aim of the mission is to contribute to close these knowledge gaps, by providing data on species diversity and distribution patterns across Europe.

Our main sampling focus is forests dominated by scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) and black pines (Pinus nigra complex), but we are also interested in records associated with other pine species. Based on current knowledge, species of conservation concern are mainly associated with older forests on strongly calcareous or extremely poor, sandy soils, and hence such communities are an important target for sampling within the project.