Landscape context and substrate characteristics shape fungal communities of dead spruce in urban and semi-natural forests.

ABSTRACT: Urban green areas are becoming increasingly recognized for their biodiversity potential. However, little is known about how urbanization shapes cryptic species communities, such as those residing in deadwood. In this study, we investigated downed Norway spruce trunks at intermediate stages of decay, in urban and semi-natural forests in southern Finland. To understand the interconnections between landscape context, deadwood characteristics and wood-inhabiting fungal communities, we studied structural characteristics, surface epiphyte cover and internal moisture and temperature conditions of the tree trunks, and fungal communities residing in the wood. Our findings showed that urban tree trunks had less epiphyte cover and lower moisture than trunks in semi-natural forests. Overall, urban for

SUBMITTER: Korhonen A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9543266 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature