Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve

12 Jun, 10 AM - 12 Jun, 01 PM

Leaf litter decomposition plays a vital role in carbon cycling, and the composition of the fungal decay community influences the rate at which carbon is cycled back into the environment. However, it is unknown how fungal endophytes influence leaf litter communities and ultimately affect the carbon cycle. Therefore, understanding community assembly processes associated with the colonization of leaves after abscission and the influence of fungal endophytes on the colonization of decay fungi is critical for a greater understanding of carbon cycling. The community composition of ecological communities is influenced by both stochastic and deterministic community assembly processes. Priority effects are a deterministic community assembly process that influences the final composition of communities where the order of arrival can have significant effects on the presence or absence of community members through competitive exclusion or facilitation. Therefore, in order to gain a better understanding of the role of leaf litter in the carbon cycle, we need a better understanding of the role of the priority effect of fungal endophytes on leaf litter decay communities. For summer 2023, we are doing a pilot study to investigate the priority effects of foliar fungal endophytes on leaf litter decomposition. Additionally, the project will involve a field manipulation of the component where all microbes in the leaves need to be exterminated. There are various methods for removing microbes from the internal tissue, including autoclaving, gamma radiation, and X-ray. We only have access to an autoclave at Chico State, which uses high heat (121 °C) to eliminate microbes, likely affecting nutrients in leaves. This summer, we will set up a pilot project to test different autoclave temperatures and times to find the lowest temperature and time needed to sterilize leaves. A manipulative field experiment at BCCER will follow the decay process of leaves from two different host tree species to investigate the role of fungal endophytes in shaping decay fungal communities. Additionally, high-throughput sequencing (HTS), also known as next-generation sequencing, will be used to characterize fungal communities.

Visit #84767 @Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 53639 | Research

Priority effects of foliar fungal endophytes on leaf litter fungal communities

graduate_student - California State University (CSU), Chico

Reservation Members(s)

Tawny Aeriel Bolinas Jun 12, 2023 (1 days)
Gerald Cobian Jun 12, 2023 (1 days)
Diana Avila Jun 12, 2023 (1 days)

Reserve Resources(s) | Create Invoice

Day use only 3 Jun 12 (3 hours)
Transportation 3 Jun 12 (3 hours)