Grant: Strategic Projects - Group
University of Alberta
$189,658.00
Pine regeneration following mountain pine beetle attack: facilitation by mycorrhizal fungi
FY 2011-12
Summary
The current mountain pine beetle (MPB) outbreak in Canada is the largest in recorded history, and is being driven in part by climate change. Greater than 14.5 million hectares of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) forest has been attacked in British Columbia since the late 1990s, with another 6 million hectares at risk of attack in Alberta. Enhancing forest recovery is crucial to the long-term sustainability and functioning of these forests, as well as a healthy forestry sector in Canada. Our proposed research investigates how MPB attack changes aspects of site conditions, thereby altering regeneration success of lodgepole pine.
Site conditions encompass a variety of abiotic and biotic factors, and knowledge about these factors is critical to pine regeneration success. One poorly understood aspect of site conditions is the role of mycorrhizal fungi, and how these fungi are impacted by MPB attack. Mycorrhizas are symbionts that grow on roots of all North American trees, including lodgepole pine, and are important for nutrient and water acquisition. A unique feature of ectomycorrhizal fungi is the ability to physically link trees belowground through a shared hyphal network which can allow for resource flow among trees. Mycorrhizal fungi can improve seedling establishment and growth, but how this facilitation potential is impacted by the MPB outbreak is completely unknown. The goals of the proposed project are to determine (1) whether mycorrhizal communities and networks in pine
stands change following MPB attack, (2) the impact any changes could have on pine regeneration, and (3) the identity of fungal taxa that will facilitate forest regeneration efforts. We will combine field and greenhouse experiments to identify management practices that can prevent the collapse of ectomycorrhizal communities and forest ecosystems. Such interventions usable by industry could include planting schedules, site preparation recommendations or custom inocula that can be applied to developing seedlings grown in forest nurseries.
Program
Strategic Projects - Group
Recipient
Location
Alberta, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
396772-2010
Name nom
Cahill, James
Department département
Biological Sciences
Organization id
9
Institution établissement
University of Alberta
Province en
Alberta
Province fr
Alberta
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2011
Competition year année de concours
2010
Award amount
189658
Program id
STPGP
Program nane en
Strategic Projects - Group
Program name fr
Projets stratégiques - De groupe
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
1045
Committee name en
Strategic Projects Selection Panel - Environment
Committee name fr
Comité de sélection des projets stratégiques - Environnement
Area of application code
201
Area of application group en
Natural resources (economic aspects)
Area of application group fr
Ressources naturelles (aspects économiques)
Area of application en
Forestry (silviculture, forest management)
Area of application fr
Foresterie (sylviculture, aménagement forestier)
Research subject code
4707
Research subject group en
Evolution and ecology
Research subject group fr
Évolution et écologie
Research subject en
Plant ecology
Research subject fr
Écologie végétale
Partie
2
Nb partie
3
Application title
Pine regeneration following mountain pine beetle attack: facilitation by mycorrhizal fungi
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
The current mountain pine beetle (MPB) outbreak in Canada is the largest in recorded history, and is being driven in part by climate change. Greater than 14.5 million hectares of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) forest has been attacked in British Columbia since the late 1990s, with another 6 million hectares at risk of attack in Alberta. Enhancing forest recovery is crucial to the long-term sustainability and functioning of these forests, as well as a healthy forestry sector in Canada. Our proposed research investigates how MPB attack changes aspects of site conditions, thereby altering regeneration success of lodgepole pine.
Site conditions encompass a variety of abiotic and biotic factors, and knowledge about these factors is critical to pine regeneration success. One poorly understood aspect of site conditions is the role of mycorrhizal fungi, and how these fungi are impacted by MPB attack. Mycorrhizas are symbionts that grow on roots of all North American trees, including lodgepole pine, and are important for nutrient and water acquisition. A unique feature of ectomycorrhizal fungi is the ability to physically link trees belowground through a shared hyphal network which can allow for resource flow among trees. Mycorrhizal fungi can improve seedling establishment and growth, but how this facilitation potential is impacted by the MPB outbreak is completely unknown. The goals of the proposed project are to determine (1) whether mycorrhizal communities and networks in pine
stands change following MPB attack, (2) the impact any changes could have on pine regeneration, and (3) the identity of fungal taxa that will facilitate forest regeneration efforts. We will combine field and greenhouse experiments to identify management practices that can prevent the collapse of ectomycorrhizal communities and forest ecosystems. Such interventions usable by industry could include planting schedules, site preparation recommendations or custom inocula that can be applied to developing seedlings grown in forest nurseries.
