Diversity of Macrofungi in Mixed Coniferous and Broad-leaved Forests of Gaogesitaihanwula National Nature Reserve

Purpose To investigate the diversity of macrofungi in mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests in the Gaogesitaihanwula National Nature Reserve and its relationship with vegetation types.

Methods Nine quadrats were established across three different forest types (three plots per forest type). The species composition and diversity of macrofungi were analyzed by morphological taxonomy and molecular phylogenetic techniques. Redundancy analysis and principal component analysis were conducted to explore the relationship among macrofungi, stand structure, and tree species composition.

Results A total of 86 species of macrofungi were collected and identified, belonging to 31 families and 52 genera, including nine dominant families and 13 dominant genera. The genus distribution pattern was primarily cosmopolitan, followed by the northern temperate distribution. The Larix gmelinii+Betula platyphylla+Quercus mongolica forest type exhibited the highest richness and diversity indices, as well as the most uniform distribution of macrofungi. L. gmelinii, Q. mongolica, and B. platyphylla were identified as the key tree species influencing the distribution and composition of macrofungi, while canopy density, tree height, and altitude were found to be the most significant factors. Forest stands with higher vegetation richness demonstrated greater richness and diversity indices for macrofungi. The diversity of macrofungi was strongly influenced by internal structural factors such as humidity, herbaceous coverage, and canopy density, and it was closely associated with the distribution of symbiotic tree species. Furthermore, the distribution of different fungal families was significantly correlated with canopy density, altitude, herbaceous coverage, indoor humidity, tree diameter at breast height, shrub crown width, and tree height.

Conclusion The composition and diversity of macrofungi were significantly influenced by the stand structure and tree species composition of different vegetation types, with specific symbiotic relationships observed between macrofungi and certain tree species.