In the Pacific Northwest, Alnus rubra Bong. (red alder) is a common deciduous tree species especially prevalent in riparian corridors and disturbed sites, including metropolitan areas undergoing land use changes and development. Importantly, red alder is also considered a bioindicator for ozone pollution and, like all plants, harbors a diverse endophyte community that may interact with aerial pollutants. In this study, we surveyed foliar fungal endophyte communities (microfungi) in red alder leaves from the metropolitan area of Portland, Oregon, USA, using culture-based techniques, and found that communities differed significantly by site. Our results suggest that the fungal endophyte community composition in red alder leaves may be influenced in part by local air pollution sources, likely in conjunction with other site characteristics. As urban areas expand, more studies should focus on how the urban environment affects plant–microbe community ecology and endophyte–host interactions, as well as on the long-term consequences for other ecosystem processes such as leaf litter decomposition.
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Frankia diversity in sympatrically occurring red alder (Alnus rubra) and Sitka alder (Alnus viridis) trees in an early successional environment
- Award ID(s):
- 1656057
- PAR ID:
- 10436237
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Trees
- Volume:
- 36
- Issue:
- 5
- ISSN:
- 0931-1890
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 1665 to 1675
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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