Diversity Patterns of Macrofungi in Xerothermic Grasslands from the Nida Basin (Małopolska Upland, Southern Poland): A Case Study

Macrofungal communities were investigated in seven plant associations of xerothermic grasslands in the Nida Basin located in the Małopolska Upland of southern Poland. Designation of associations at selected study sites was based on phytosociological relevés using the Braun-Blanquet method. During th...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Janusz Łuszczyński, Edyta Adamska, Anna Wojciechowska, Joanna Czerwik-Marcinkowska
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-03-01
Series:Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/11/4/531
Description
Summary:Macrofungal communities were investigated in seven plant associations of xerothermic grasslands in the Nida Basin located in the Małopolska Upland of southern Poland. Designation of associations at selected study sites was based on phytosociological relevés using the Braun-Blanquet method. During the years 2010–2013, we studied the diversity and distribution of macrofungi in dry grasslands, where 164 species of basidio- and ascomycetes were recovered. We determined the properties of the studied fungal communities and habitat preferences of individual species found in the analyzed xerothermic plant associations using ecological indicators for macrofungi according to Ellenberg indicator values. Diversity patterns of fungal communities in xerothermic grasslands are strongly influenced by various environmental factors. In our study, we focused on recording the fruiting bodies of all macrofungi and the proportion of each species in the study communities, as well as possible identification of the most likely indicator species for particular habitats. We found significant differences for two of the seven associations analyzed, namely <i>Thalictro</i><i>-Salvietum pratensis</i> and <i>Inuletum ensifoliae</i>. However, based on Ellenberg indicator values for fungi, it is not possible to clearly define fungi as indicator species.
ISSN:2079-7737