Post-fire Succession and Soil Chemical Properties Shape Soil Fungal Community Structure and Diversity in Hemiboreal Scots Pine Forests in Estonia
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: We investigated the short- and long-term effects of forest fires on soil fungal communities across a forest fire chronosequence of Pinus sylvestris-dominated stands in northwestern Estonia. Soil fungal communities were characterized using PacBio sequencing of the ITS1-5.8 S-ITS2 genomic region. These effects were studied in seven different sites that differed in time since the last fire (1, 14, 25, 40, 71, 82 and 185 years ago). Overall and saprotrophic diversity was highest at the burn site where fourteen years had passed since the last fire. Ectomycorrhizal diversity was highest at the one-year-old burn site. Overall diversity of vascular plants was negatively correlated with overall diversity of fungi. Time since fire was the most significant factor in shaping overall fungal diversity and community structure. EcM and saprotrophic fungal diversity were more influenced by soil chemical properties such as pH, C,N content and Mg.
Source: Microbial Ecology
Authors: A. Agan, A. Orumaa, R. Drenkhan, K. Köster, J. A. Stanturf, L. Tedersoo, T. Tullus, M. Metslaid
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,590
Funder: Eesti Teadusagentuur
Awards: Effects of forest fires on dynamics of vegetation, soil fungal community and physicalchemical properties in hemiboreal forests, Entering and establishment of invasive forest pathogens into the forest ecosystems of northern Europe in conditions of changing climate and search control against it
OpenAlex ID: W7155201287