Fleshy Saprobic and Ectomycorrhizal Fungal Communities Associated with Healthy and Declining Eastern Hemlock Stands in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Abstract Prior to the loss of Tsuga canadensis (Eastern Hemlock) stands in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM), we collected baseline data during 2006–2009 at two locations (Copeland Creek and Gabes Mountain) regarding macrofungi that occur under this tree species. We studied macrofungi in order to understand the current and changing ectomycorrhizal and saprobic fungal community structure associated with healthy (imidicloprid-treated) and dying Eastern Hemlock stands and to contribute data for the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) in GRSM. A total of 121 taxa representing 75 ectomycorrhizal, 1 pathogenic, and 45 saprobic species, were collected from 92, 59, and 106 sampling locations in 2006, 2007, and 2008, respectively. Macrofungal species richness, diversity, and evenness (E) in Copeland Creek were significantly greater (P = 0.05) in 2006 than 2007. Eighty percent of all fungi collected were found in Copeland Creek (487 m elevation) where trees are <75 years old; the remaining 20% were ...