Macrofungal diversity in an isolated and fragmented Mediterranean Forest ecosystem

Abstract

Agricultural transformation has led to scarcity and fragmentation of Mediterranean forests with unknown effects on the fungal diversity they harbour. La Orbada forest is an isolated holm-oak forest in the province of Salamanca, in western Iberian Peninsula. This forest is threatened by various factors, mainly: habitat fragmentation, the possible barrier effects caused by geographical isolation and pressure from humans and livestock. In order to assess the state of conservation of the ecosystem’s macrofungal community and its ecological integrity, the fruitbodies of epigeous macromycetes were studied over a five-year time series (2009–2013). One hundred and eighty-nine species were identified, dominating Basidiomycetes (Tricholomataceae, Cortinariaceae and Russulaceae families). We also analysed: (i) the seasonal and annual behaviour of each species, ii) distribution of taxa according to their mode of nutrition, iii) the similarity of biodiversity between various plots inside the forest and with other ecosystems dominated by Quercus species. The data obtained indicate a greater fungal diversity than in other Mediterranean ecosystems and a good degree of conservation, with no signs of barrier or forest edge effects. One plot has been identified as a macrofungal biodiversity hotspot. The main factors threatening the area have been analysed and conservation measures proposed.

Keywords:

• Fungal diversity
• fragmented forests
• oak forests
• endangered ecosystems
• mushrooms

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank David Rodríguez de la Cruz for his valuable help on sampling and Sergio Pérez Gorjón for his advise on several identifications.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.