The ectomycorrhizal community of urban linden trees in Gdańsk, Poland

PLoS One. 2021 Apr 26;16(4):e0237551. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237551. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

The linden tree (Tilia spp.) is a popular tree for landscaping and urban environments in central and northwest European countries, and it is one of the most popular in cities in Poland. Ectomycorrhizal fungi form a symbiosis with many urban tree species and protect the host plant from heavy metals and against salinity. The aim of this study was to characterise the ECM fungal community of urban linden trees along the tree damage gradient. The study was performed on two sites located in the centre of the city of Gdańsk, in northern Poland. The vitality assessment of urban linden trees was made according to Roloff's classification. Tree damage classes were related to soil characteristics using principal component analysis. The five ectomycorrhizal fungal species were shared among all four tree damage classes, and Cenococcum geophilum was found to be the most abundant and frequent ectomycorrhizal fungal species in each class. Soil samples collected in the vicinity of trees belonging to the R0 class had significantly lower pH Na, Cl and Pb content than other soils. Our knowledge of ectomycorrhizal communities in urban areas is still limited, and these findings provide new insights into ectomycorrhizal distribution patterns in urban areas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ascomycota / classification
  • Ascomycota / physiology
  • Biodiversity
  • Ecosystem
  • Forests
  • Mycobiome / physiology*
  • Mycorrhizae / classification*
  • Mycorrhizae / physiology*
  • Poland
  • Soil / chemistry
  • Soil Microbiology
  • Symbiosis / physiology
  • Tilia / microbiology*
  • Trees / microbiology*

Substances

  • Soil

Supplementary concepts

  • Cenococcum geophilum

Grants and funding

The research was partly performed within the project financed by the State Forests National Forest Holding [grant No. OR-271.3.5.2017] and National Science Centre (Poland), MINIATURA, grant No. 2019/03/X/NZ9/00230. DH obtained a salary within the project project financed by the State Forests National Forest Holding [grant No. OR-271.3.5.2017]. The publication fee was paid by: Department of Plant Pathology; Institute of Horticultural Sciences; Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159, Warsaw 02-776, Poland and Department of Forest Ecology, Forest Research Institute, Braci Leśnej 3, Sękocin Stary 05-090, Poland.