E.P. 1204 - Occurrence of Armillaria species in site series of unmanaged, mature forests in subzones of the ICH biogeoclimatic zone in the Nelson Forest Region.

Objectives:

• To describe distribution of Armillaria spp. in mature forests in site series of several subzones of Interior Cedar Hemlock (ICH) zone and relate distribution to moisture and nutrient regime;
• To assess possible roles of different Armillaria spp. in ecosystem dynamics in the ICH biogeoclimatic zone, such as in tree mortality, regeneration, succession, and nutrient cycling;
• To propose potential ecosystem niches being occupied by different Armillaria spp., such as, where are Armillaria spp. distributed, in association with what other plant species, and how are Armillaria spp. affecting ecosystem processes?

Years of project:

1995 DEC 12 to ?

Contacts:

• Duncan Morrison, Canadian Forest Service, Pacific Forestry Centre, Victoria

Publications:

• Designing environmental field studies
• DNA diagnostics for Armillaria species: within and between species variation in the IGS 1 and IGS 2 isolates of British Columbia

Abstract:

Both Armillaria species were identified in all of the subzones sampled and from all but one of the sites surveyed in 1996. Armillaria ostoyae was found in the wetter variants of the dry subzones and in the dryer variants of the wet subzones. Conversely, A. sinapina was found in almost all subzones and variants. Armillaria ostoyae was isolated most commonly from the dead roots of conifers (61%) or lesions on conifer roots (17%). Only 13% of A. ostoyae isolates were from rhizomorphs. By contrast Armillaria sinapina was isolated most commonly as rhizomorphs on roots (39%), or from the soil (21%). A further 27% of the isolates were from dead roots and 12% were isolated from small lesions (<10 mm in length). Shrub species were rarely affected by A. ostoyae.

Web Presentation:

• http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hre/forprod/fordyn/projects/ep1204/ep1204.htm

Notes:

Note: project transferred to Pacific Forestry Center, CFS.